Climate change is driving one of the most frequent and intense heat waves, and its consequences ripple through tourism, the south and southeast regions of the peninsula where tourism remains a major economic engine. Scientists at the Carlos III Health Institute note that southern Spain has effectively become a desert, predicting repercussions for tourism as travelers shift toward northern areas during the summer months.
The reality may be stark: heat reaching inland southern areas could become uninhabitable for extended periods, forcing many to relocate their activities northward for relief. North African climate patterns are expected to mirror Iberian conditions in places like Andalusia, although the Costa Blanca currently remains comparatively moderate as temperatures show some flexibility.
Experts warn that sleep becomes nearly impossible in the south or inland, pushing people to seek cooler surroundings in the north. Safety and comfort in southern destinations could deteriorate as a result.
no more worries
The concern extends beyond tourism. A rise in anxiety and irritability is anticipated as heat waves intensify, a trend highlighted by ISCIII researchers who oversee biomedical and health research in the country. The evolving climate crisis is increasingly linked to mental health challenges.
Scientist Cristina Linares, who spoke at a conference in Elche dedicated to imagining future cities amid climate danger, conveyed these insights to the Alicante newspaper INFORMACIÓN.
“Imagine nightly sleeplessness caused by very high minimum temperatures,” she explains. The accumulation of fatigue can alter a person’s psychological state, growing irritability and anxiety and, in worst cases, contributing to severe mental health episodes, Linares notes.
Climate emergency at hand
Climate change remains a deeply troubling issue. ISCIII scientists warn that the extreme temperatures experienced this summer may recur by 2032. The climate emergency has been acknowledged for years, with mounting evidence of health impacts tied to heat.
Heat waves take a serious toll on health. This summer saw extended periods of extreme heat, with 42 days of heightened temperatures. The number of deaths attributable to heat has risen markedly, from about 1,300 on average to roughly 4,500, underscoring that thermal extremes cost lives. “Thermal extremes cost lives,” cautions Julio Díaz, another ISCIII scientist who attended the Elche conference.
Studies in Japan and the United States have linked heat waves to heightened suicide risk. The warning is clear: individuals already dealing with mental illness or those on medications that alter sweating or thirst may face greater danger from dehydration. Staying properly hydrated becomes essential, as dehydration can fuel severe mental health episodes, Linares emphasizes.
more alcoholism
Linares adds that hospitals report more cases related to alcohol use when temperatures rise. The risk of abuse increases, and extreme weather events like floods or storms may trigger anxiety and post‑traumatic stress.
There is a call to action: begin planning and implementing measures to address climate change, even while its health consequences are already evident. Five steps to awareness and action are urged as temperatures climb and communities adapt.
Unstable conditions can lead to more accidents, since rest and reflexes deteriorate and people become more agitated. ISCIII scientists warn that the Iberian Peninsula faces a blend of Atlantic moisture and Saharan dust, which intensifies extremes and requires adaptive responses from individuals and systems alike.
high temperatures worsen existing illnesses. Neurological conditions are particularly at risk because the body’s heat regulation may fail, reducing hydration and straining cardiovascular or kidney function. Elderly individuals are especially vulnerable to heat-related complications. Most heatwave deaths result from exacerbation of preexisting conditions rather than heatstroke alone, though maximum temperatures continue to challenge expectations.