78
0Episode: Europe's Killer Heatwave: Why So Many People Died
Duration: approximately 10 minutes
Level: B1 (Intermediate)
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[Mike]: Hey everyone! Welcome back to "Learn English with Podcasts." I'm Mike.
[Sarah]: And I'm Sarah. Today we're talking about something serious — a deadly heatwave that has been hitting Europe right now, in June 2026.
[Mike]: This is not a normal summer. The World Health Organization, or WHO, says the heatwave has already caused over 1,300 excess deaths across Europe since June 21st.
[Sarah]: That's shocking. Can you explain what "excess deaths" means?
[Mike]: Sure. "Excess deaths" means the number of people who died during this period is much higher than normal. So these extra deaths are likely caused by the extreme heat.
[Sarah]: France has been hit the hardest. The French health agency reports about 1,000 excess deaths in just one week. Spain has recorded 327 heat-related deaths. And in France, 40 people drowned while trying to cool off in rivers and pools.
[Mike]: That's heartbreaking. Some of the victims were very young. Four toddlers died in France — some were left inside hot cars. Parents, please never leave children in a car, even for a few minutes.
[Sarah]: The numbers are really alarming. Over 191 million people across Europe have been affected by this heatwave. Let's talk about why it's so extreme.
[Mike]: Scientists call this an "Omega heatwave." Have you heard of that?
[Sarah]: I have! It's named after the Greek letter Omega — Ω. Here's what happens: a high-pressure system forms in the shape of the letter Omega over Europe. This system acts like a wall or a cap. It traps hot air from North Africa and stops it from moving away.
[Mike]: So the heat just sits there and gets hotter and hotter?
[Sarah]: Exactly. Cool air from the Atlantic can't get in, and the hot air can't escape. Day after day, the temperature keeps rising. That's why this heatwave has broken so many records.
[Mike]: And the records are incredible. Germany hit 41.7 degrees Celsius — that's the highest temperature ever recorded in the country. The UK, Switzerland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary all broke their records too.
[Sarah]: Scientists say this kind of heatwave would have been "virtually impossible" without climate change. Fossil fuel emissions have made these events much more likely and much more intense.
[Mike]: That's a scary thought. Now, here's something that surprises a lot of people — most Europeans don't have air conditioning. Why is that?
[Sarah]: Great question! There are several reasons. First, Europe has historically had mild summers. Cities like Paris, London, and Berlin were never this hot before. So people didn't think they needed AC.
[Mike]: Second, many European buildings are very old. They were designed to stay cool naturally — with thick stone walls, high ceilings, and small windows. But these buildings don't have the ductwork or space needed to install modern AC systems.
[Sarah]: Third, electricity in Europe is expensive — much more expensive than in the US or China. Running an air conditioner can cost a family hundreds of euros per month. Many people, especially the elderly, simply can't afford it.
[Mike]: And fourth, there's a cultural side. Many Europeans see air conditioning as wasteful or bad for the environment. Some people prefer to open windows, use fans, or just deal with the heat.
[Sarah]: But now, with climate change making summers hotter and more dangerous, this attitude is starting to change. After this deadly heatwave, more people are asking: is it time to install AC?
[Mike]: The problem is, it's not easy. Retrofitting old buildings with AC is expensive and complicated. And if everyone turns on their AC at the same time, it puts enormous pressure on the power grid. In fact, some areas in France and Italy experienced power cuts during this heatwave.
[Sarah]: So what can people do to stay safe during extreme heat? Let's share some tips.
[Mike]: First, drink lots of water — even if you don't feel thirsty. Dehydration is dangerous and can happen very quickly in extreme heat.
[Sarah]: Second, stay indoors during the hottest hours — usually between 11 AM and 4 PM. If you don't have AC, go to a public place that does, like a shopping center or library.
[Mike]: Third, check on elderly neighbors and family members. Older people are the most vulnerable during heatwaves because their bodies don't regulate temperature as well.
[Sarah]: And please, never leave children or pets inside a parked car. The temperature inside a car can reach 60 degrees Celsius in just minutes.
[Mike]: This heatwave is a wake-up call. Europe needs to rethink how it deals with extreme heat — from building design to energy policy to public health systems.
[Sarah]: Thanks for listening, everyone. This was a more serious topic than usual, but it's important. Stay safe and stay cool.
[Mike]: Before we go, let's review some vocabulary from today's episode. Words like "excess deaths," "high-pressure system," "Omega heatwave," "fossil fuel emissions," "retrofitting," "dehydration," and "vulnerable" — all important words for understanding climate and health topics.
[Sarah]: See you next time! Take care of yourselves.
[Mike]: Bye everyone!
