US Energy Secretary's Remarks on Heat vs. Cold Spark Outrage in Europe

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has ignited strong reactions with his assertion that Europeans are overstating the risks of extreme heat. Speaking via video to the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship conference, Wright argued that cold poses a far greater public health threat than high temperatures.

"More people always die in the winter than in the summer, because cold is by far the greater killer than heat," Wright stated. He cited Europe's difficult 2022 winter, exacerbated by the energy crisis following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which led to soaring heating costs and significant mortality.

Wright's intervention occurred as numerous European nations grapple with record-breaking temperatures. Authorities have issued continuous warnings about the heightened risk of heatstroke, wildfires, and power grid disruptions. Governments remind citizens that the 2022 heatwave caused over 60,000 deaths in Europe, and the current heatwave has led to school closures, transport interruptions, and strained healthcare systems.

While experts acknowledge that historically, cold-related deaths in Europe have outnumbered heat-related fatalities, they warn this comparison can be misleading when used to downplay climate change impacts. The scientific community emphasizes that heatwaves are becoming more frequent, intense, and longer due to global warming, leading to a steady increase in deaths from extreme temperatures. In the United States, excessive heat is now the deadliest cause of weather-related fatalities, surpassing cold.

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More people always die in the winter than in the summer, because cold is by far the greater killer than heat.