France is facing a stark reminder of the human cost of extreme heat, with around 7,000 excess deaths recorded during the country’s heatwaves through the end of July, according to Health Minister Stéphanie Rist. Earlier estimates from French health authorities had counted 5,764 excess deaths between June 17 and July 2, but the figure has now risen as the impact of repeated heatwaves became clearer. The country experienced several prolonged periods of extreme heat this summer, with the health minister saying the deaths particularly affected people living alone and socially isolated in large cities. Final figures are expected to be released in the coming weeks.
The tragedy comes during what has been confirmed as France’s hottest summer on record, with temperatures across June, July and August averaging about 24°C—around 3.6°C above the historical average. France also experienced 53 days of heatwave conditions, while temperatures of 40°C or higher were recorded across almost half of the country. The extreme heat was accompanied by severe drought, increased wildfire activity and pressure on agriculture and ecosystems. For Green Humans, the message is clear: extreme heat is no longer simply a weather story—it is a growing public health and climate crisis, and protecting vulnerable communities must become a central part of climate action. More