So, how is climate affecting mortality in Britain.
David Davies (Monmouth, Conservative)
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people have died from injuries and illnesses related to (a) cold and (b) hot weather in each of the last five years.
A very good question. And the answer?
Table 1: Excess mortality during periods when temperatures were above the heat wave threshold in one or more regions, England and Wales, 2003-08
4 to 13 August 2003 - 2,139
1 to 7 July 2006 - No excess
16 to 28 July 2006 - 680
All that warming and only three instances of heat wave in the last 5 years? Interesting.
OK, what about the cold?
Table 2 : Excess winter deaths, England and Wales, 2004-05 to 2008-09
2004-05 - 31,640
2005-06 - 25,270
2006-07 - 23,740
2007-08 - 24,690
2008-09 - 36,700
Estimates of excess winter deaths are based on the difference between the number of deaths during the four winter months (December to March) and the average number of deaths during the preceding four months (August to November) and the following four months (April to July).
So, according to the Office for National Statistics, cold weather in this country is dramatically more dangerous than warm. Think of the thousands of lives that could be 'saved' - to use righteous parlance - if global warming occurred.
Suits us, Sir.
