Europe is heating up twice as quickly as the global average, and that heat is killing large numbers of people

Europe is so hot right now. No, literally.

A new report shows Europe is not only the fastest-warming continent in the world but its temperatures are rising at roughly twice the global average and people are dying because of it.

The report , released by U.N.'s World Meteorological Organization and Europe's Copernicus Climate Change Service, shows 2023 was the joint warmest or second warmest year on record, depending on the dataset. The three warmest years on record for Europe have all occurred since 2020, and the ten warmest since 2007.

"In 2023, Europe witnessed the largest wildfire ever recorded, one of the wettest years, severe marine heatwaves and widespread devastating flooding," Copernicus Director Carlo Buontempo said in a statement. "Temperatures continue to increase, making our data ever more vital in preparing for the impacts of climate change."

Temperatures in Europe were above average for 11 months of the year in 2023, including the warmest September on record, according to the report.

Last year also saw a record number of days with "extreme heat stress," as well as an increasing trend in the number of days with at least "strong heat stress" across Europe. The number of heat-related deaths has also increased by at least 30% in the last 20 years, according to the report.

In 2023, the report found average sea surface temperature for the ocean across Europe was highest on record. The Alps also saw exceptional glacier ice loss, linked to below-average winter snow accumulation and strong summer melt due to heatwaves. Over 2022 and 2023, glaciers in the Alps have lost around 10% of their remaining volume, according to the report.

The cost of weather- and climate-related economic losses in 2023 is estimated at more than 13.4 billion euros -- about $14.3 billion, according to the report.

"The climate crisis is the biggest challenge of our generation. The cost of climate action may seem high, but the cost of inaction is much higher," Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General, World Meteorological Organization, said in a statement. "As this report shows, we need to leverage science to provide solutions for the good of society."

Researchers say the number of adverse health impacts related to extreme weather and climate events is only rising. With millions of people impacted by extreme weather events across Europe, the report urges making the development of mitigation and adaptation measurements a priority.