Die Experten warnen: "Die Zahl der Todesfälle wird steigen"

Heat waves are increasingly disrupting sleep patterns across Europe and Central Asia, with growing evidence linking these disruptions to climate change. During the June heat wave that brought record-breaking temperatures to western Europe, approximately 65% of adults in the UK reported difficulty sleeping, according to a recent poll. Nearly half of those surveyed said they lost three or more hours of sleep per night. This phenomenon is becoming more common as summers grow longer and hotter, driven by human-induced climate change. Europe, which is warming at more than twice the global average, is emerging as a key region where sleep loss becomes pronounced. In Germany’s Saxony, a weather station recorded an unusually high overnight minimum temperature of 29.4°C (85°F) in June. Such extreme nighttime conditions are now 100 times more likely due to climate change, according to the World Weather Attribution, a scientific group that analyzes how climate influences extreme weather events. Research into the health implications of climate-driven sleep loss is gaining traction. A global team of scientists analyzed 165 million nights of sleep data collected from over 318,000 users of wearable devices and under-mattress sleep trackers. Their findings, published in July, revealed that when nighttime temperatures rise from around 12°C to 27°C, individuals face roughly a 40% increased likelihood of sleeping fewer than six hours. Ty Ferguson, a research fellow at Adelaide University, emphasized that insufficient sleep, less than seven hours per night, impairs cognitive function, memory, and emotional stability. The consequences of disrupted sleep extend beyond individual health. According to Ferguson, chronic sleep deprivation can contribute to a range of conditions, including diabetes, depression, heart disease, and even obesity. Similarly, Bowen Chu, a researcher at Nanjing University, highlighted the importance of sleep for immune function and mental health. His work, conducted alongside other experts, underscores the broader societal and economic costs of climate-induced sleep loss, particularly among children. In Central Asia, the situation is equally dire. In Kazakhstan, the capital city of Astana recorded unprecedented temperatures during the summer months. On July 14, the city saw a record high of 39.5°C, breaking a long-standing record that had stood for over three decades. Earlier in June, Astana reached 36.8°C, another record. These extreme conditions were not isolated to the capital; parts of the country experienced temperatures nearing 45°C, with forecasts indicating that such heatwaves will continue through the end of July. Experts warn that these trends are part of a larger pattern of climate change affecting public health and resource availability. The United Nations warns that large portions of Kazakhstan are exposed to climate risks that could have severe consequences for its population. The World Bank cautions that without additional adaptation measures, the number of heat-related deaths in cities across Europe and Central Asia could triple by 2050. Currently, Kazakhstan lacks a dedicated system for tracking heat-related fatalities, and its national heatwave protection plan is still incomplete compared to WHO recommendations. Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, regional director of the World Health Organization for Europe, warned that countries like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan may experience some of the highest increases in mortality linked to heatwaves. He stressed that effective preparedness must begin before the summer season starts, rather than in response to ongoing crises. Countries that have already implemented such plans have managed to reduce heat-related deaths by up to 25%. Climate change is also altering water resources in the region. Rising temperatures are causing earlier snowmelt and shorter, warmer winters, reducing the amount of available water for domestic use, energy production, and agriculture. Data from the UN Development Programme indicates that glaciers in Kazakhstan have lost between 14% and 30% of their mass since the mid-20th century. Scientists predict that while temporary increases in water levels may occur due to melting, prolonged periods of drought are expected in major river basins, threatening both water supply and energy security. These changes are having direct impacts on food production. Kazakhstan, one of the world’s largest exporters of wheat, faces increasing challenges from extended periods of heat and water shortages. Agricultural experts warn that declining crop yields could affect food supplies not just within the country but throughout Central Asia. Additionally, the risk of wildfires continues to rise, despite current efforts to control them. Authorities caution that the threat remains high throughout the duration of the heatwave.