We already know that the climate crisis is making heat waves longer, more frequent and more intense. We all experienced this last summer. In fact, the summer temperature in Europe in 2022 was the hottest on record. Less known is the effect of this heat on our health. In the most extreme cases, heat can be deadly: in the summer of 2022, Spain recorded more than 4,600 deaths caused by temperatures above 40°C. And we know that the situation is likely to get worse rather than better in the future, with 90,000 Europeans at risk of dying from heat each year in the coming decades if we don't do more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally. The problem is most acute in cities, because buildings and roads absorb and retain heat, and there is often less vegetation and fewer bodies of water. This means that urban areas tend to be significantly warmer compared to neighboring rural areas – a phenomenon known as the 'urban heat island'. As around 75 % Europeans live in cities, the potential health threat is huge. We must act now to better prepare for heat waves and protect ourselves from their serious consequences. Here are some examples of how the EU is helping Europeans to do just that.