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The Economist — Climate — High Energy Prices — Energy — Mortality — Government Intervention

Expensive energy may have killed more Europeans than covid-19 last winter

High energy prices may have caused 68,000 deaths in Europe last winter, according to a new model. Cold conditions raise the risk of cardiac and respiratory problems.

1 min read
  • High energy prices may have caused 68,000 deaths in Europe last winter.
  • Cold conditions raise the risk of cardiac and respiratory problems.
  • Excess deaths in Europe were higher than expected between November 2022 and February 2023.
  • A price rise of around €0.10 per kwh was related to a weekly mortality increase of 2.2%.
  • Government interventions in energy markets saved 26,600 lives.
Expensive energy may have killed more Europeans than covid-19 last winter
Our modelling estimates that high energy prices claimed 68,000 lives | Graphic detail
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