Europe's 2024 Heatwave Caused 62,775 Deaths; Ireland's Housing Unprepared
The 2024 European heatwave resulted in 62,775 deaths, highlighting Ireland's housing vulnerability to rising temperatures. Current Irish housing, designed for heat retention, and new apartment standards exacerbate overheating risks. Urgent adaptation, including improved ventilation and green spaces, is needed to address health impacts and other climate challenges like flooding and migration.
The 2024 European heatwave caused 62,775 heat-related deaths, with older people being particularly vulnerable. Ireland's aging population faces increased risks from extreme heat, which exacerbates heart disease and can cause acute kidney injury, even above 25 degrees Celsius.
Irish housing, designed to retain heat, is ill-equipped for hotter summers. Concrete buildings and roof tiles absorb heat, releasing it overnight. Cities are hotter due to hard surfaces. New apartment standards introduced by Minister James Browne prioritize developer viability over liveability, leading to smaller, single-aspect units with limited ventilation and reduced balconies. Architect John Moorehead's analysis shows new 32sq m studios will require significant cooling, leading to increased electricity use and carbon emissions.
Research from Technological University Dublin by Mark Mulville indicates up to 10% of Ireland's occupied housing (over 520,000 people) is at risk of overheating. Effective climate adaptation in housing requires increased ventilation, making features like balconies necessities. Outside, more green spaces, trees, and shaded seating are crucial.
Beyond heat, Ireland faces increased storms, flooding, potential water shortages, and new pests. Climate-related migration may also rise, with Ireland seen as a safe haven, potentially straining housing and leading to blame on immigrants. Housing design must become health-focused to mitigate these growing climate impacts.