We Are Nature demands Brussels heatwave hospitalisation and death figures
The citizens’ collective We Are Nature is asking Brussels authorities to publish figures on hospitalisations and deaths linked to heatwaves, arguing that the health toll of extreme heat remains too opaque in the capital.
Heatwaves are a direct health risk, especially in dense urban areas. The demand matters because hospitalisation and death figures help show whether Brussels prevention measures reach the people most exposed to extreme heat.
We Are Nature is a Brussels-based citizens’ and environmental collective. The subject of this article is its demand, reported by DH on 6 July 2026, for Brussels authorities to publish data on hospitalisations and deaths linked to heatwaves in the capital.
Background
Belgium has treated heatwaves as a recurring health and weather risk for years, with the Royal Meteorological Institute issuing heat warnings and Sciensano tracking excess mortality after severe summer episodes, including 2019.
Impact
Regional — The story is centred on the Brussels-Capital Region, where dense housing, traffic corridors, limited shade in some neighbourhoods and social inequality shape exposure to heat.
Opposing perspectives
- We Are Nature and climate-health advocates
We Are Nature’s position, as reported by DH, is that Brussels needs transparent figures on hospitalisations and deaths linked to heatwaves because climate policy must be measured against human health outcomes and inequality, not only infrastructure plans or emissions goals.
- Regional health and statistical authorities
Brussels health and statistical bodies have to work within data-protection rules, medical coding systems and mortality-methodology limits. Their likely concern is that rapid publication without clear definitions risks misleading comparisons between heat as a direct cause, a contributing factor and broader excess mortality.
Sources & evidence
- View sourceDHPrimary· dhnet.be· 6 July 2026Retrieved 6 July 2026· 6 days ago· Dated
- View sourceRoyal Meteorological Institute of Belgium· meteo.beRetrieved 6 July 2026
- View sourceSciensano· sciensano.be· 3 October 2019Retrieved 6 July 2026· 2474 days ago· Dated
- View sourceBrussels Environment· environnement.brusselsRetrieved 6 July 2026
