Heat kills. Political inaction does too.

Switzerland is grappling with its fourth heatwave in three months, as record-breaking temperatures continue to impact public health. The escalating climate crisis, driven by human activities, is now recognized as a significant public health threat, not just a future environmental concern. This reality is starkly evident as emergency services fill and doctors treat an influx of patients suffering from heat-related illnesses.

The country's political response, however, remains largely unchanged despite the worsening situation. This inaction comes two years after the European Court of Human Rights ruled against Switzerland in April 2024, establishing for the first time that a state has a legal obligation to protect its population from the health consequences of global warming. The ruling highlighted the inadequacy of current measures.

Scientific data underscores the severity of the issue, with over 10,000 excess deaths recorded across Europe during recent heatwaves, a trend mirrored in Switzerland, especially among the elderly. These fatalities are not unavoidable natural occurrences but are largely preventable through effective public health policies. Current recommendations, such as advising the elderly to drink more water and stay indoors, are deemed insufficient for long-term protection.

The article draws a parallel to the COVID-19 pandemic, where prolonged isolation led to significant mental health issues. It questions whether society will accept heatwaves causing similar societal disruptions, forcing populations into weeks of confinement each summer. The increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves, alongside other climate-related events like wildfires, pose a growing threat that Switzerland can no longer afford to ignore.