Europe is witnessing more frequent and intense heatwaves, exacerbated by climate change. The summer of 2022 set new temperature records, resulting in thousands of excess deaths. 

To mitigate these effects, implementing top-down climate change strategies is crucial, especially for protecting vulnerable populations. 

Individually, staying hydrated, keeping cool in shaded or air-conditioned areas, and checking on high-risk individuals are vital during heatwaves. Additionally, reducing energy usage can help manage temperatures and increasing green cover (green walls or roofs) can reduce the use of air conditioning by 40-60%. 

Climate factors like reduced precipitation and Europe's unique geography contribute to these extreme heat events, worsened by urban heat islands in densely populated areas.