Rising temperatures across Europe have highlighted a troubling disparity: those living in poverty are bearing the brunt of extreme heat. Researchers have found that the poor are more likely to suffer from heatwaves, a situation exacerbated by inadequate housing, limited access to healthcare, and financial constraints.
Julio Díaz Jiménez, a professor at Madrid’s Carlos III Health Institute, emphasized the stark difference in heat impact between wealthier individuals with access to air conditioning and those in overcrowded, poorly ventilated homes. His research in Madrid revealed that heatwaves significantly impacted only the lower-income districts. A similar study across Spain confirmed these findings, underscoring that income level is a key factor in heat vulnerability.
Lower-income individuals often live in substandard conditions that lack proper cooling, making them more susceptible to heat-related health issues. The lack of access to quality housing and healthcare exacerbates their risk, while those who can afford air conditioning may still be unable to use it due to high costs. A recent report by Save the Children highlighted that one in three children in Spain cannot keep cool at home, which can severely affect their health.
The issue of heat stress and poverty has been more pronounced in the US, but European researchers are increasingly focusing on it. Yamina Saheb, lead author of the IPCC report on climate change mitigation, pointed out that last year’s extreme heat, fueled by carbon pollution, resulted in nearly 50,000 deaths across Europe. Saheb advocates for recognizing access to cooling as a basic right rather than a luxury, arguing that the current approach perpetuates inequality.
In addition to inadequate cooling, lower-income residents often live in areas with less green space, which could naturally mitigate heat. Alby Duarte Rocha from the Technical University of Berlin noted that poorer neighborhoods are typically more asphalt-dominated with fewer trees and parks. This lack of green space is linked to “green gentrification,” where more affluent individuals move to cooler, greener areas, pushing the poor out.
Duarte Rocha and his team, studying 14 major European cities, found consistent patterns of reduced access to green spaces for lower-income residents. He advocates for treating cooling as a public service, similar to public transportation, and implementing measures such as tree planting and green building facades in underserved areas.
Addressing these inequalities is crucial for mitigating the effects of climate change on vulnerable populations. As Europe continues to experience increasingly severe heatwaves, recognizing and addressing the link between poverty and heat vulnerability becomes imperative.
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