What Phoenix can teach the world about tackling heat deaths - BBC News

Maricopa County in Arizona has some of the hottest temperatures, but it has reduced the number of heat-related deaths.

Image source, Getty ImagesByAna FaguyPublished18 July 2026It has been a blisteringly hot summer for much of the US and Europe.

Scientists have warned that these extreme temperatures are the new normal for these communities.

France reported an increase of more than 2,000 deaths during the record-breaking heatwave in late June. In England and Wales, scientists estimated that more than 2,700 people may have died from heat-related causes from a series of heatwaves since May.

And in the US, at least 44 heat-related deaths were reported over the 4 July holiday weekend from the extreme weather.

For many, the rising temperatures have been a shock to the system, a new reality people have had to adjust to as extreme weather events become more frequent and intense with climate change.