Europe experienced its warmest summer since records began in 2026, surpassing the previous record set in 2003, while extreme heat contributed to thousands of deaths. Germany's estimated heat-related death toll reached at least 16,300 by the end of August; the estimate includes deaths in which heat worsened underlying health conditions rather than directly causing death [dw.com]. Germany averaged about 22 days with temperatures of at least 30 degrees Celsius and about five days with temperatures of at least 35 degrees, according to the country's weather service. France experienced its most severe heatwave on record, with almost 8,000 excess deaths and about 120,000 hectares of land scorched [dw.com][rfi.fr]. Highlights: • Health warning: The World Health Organization described Western Europe's heat toll as a warning for future summers [google.com]. • Policy scrutiny: Germany's Green parliamentary group asked the government to disclose what decisions and initiatives it took or considered during periods of extreme heat [bundestag.de]. Perspectives: Climate consultant and mother of two Juliette Decq described 2026 as the summer when her home no longer felt safe. (RFI) Sources: • Summer of 2026 broke records in Europe, and caused deaths - dw.com - google.com • Summer of 2026 broke records in Europe, and caused deaths - dw.com • « L’été 2026 restera dans l’histoire » : la France a enregistré un nombre de jours en vague de chaleur « inédit » cette année - leparisien.fr • Ce business a dat lovitura în urma verilor caniculare care s-au instalat în Europa - republica.ro • Hitzebedingte Todesfälle im Sommer 2026 - bundestag.de • 'My home wasn't safe anymore': lessons from France's hottest summer yet - rfi.fr --- 📰 Story aggregated by Kagi News