Neural network based estimates of the climate impact on mortality in Germany: application to storyline climate simulations

Abstract The aim of this work is the prediction of heat-related mortality for Germany under future, i.e. hotter, climate conditions. The prediction is made based on 2m temperature data from climate storyline simulations using machine learning techniques. We use an echo state network for linking the...

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Main Authors: R. Schachtschneider, J. Saynisch-Wagner, A. Sánchez-Benítez, M. Thomas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-10-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-77398-3
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author R. Schachtschneider
J. Saynisch-Wagner
A. Sánchez-Benítez
M. Thomas
author_facet R. Schachtschneider
J. Saynisch-Wagner
A. Sánchez-Benítez
M. Thomas
author_sort R. Schachtschneider
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The aim of this work is the prediction of heat-related mortality for Germany under future, i.e. hotter, climate conditions. The prediction is made based on 2m temperature data from climate storyline simulations using machine learning techniques. We use an echo state network for linking the outputs of storyline climate simulations to the target data. The target data are all-cause mortality rates of Germany for all ages. The network is trained with present day climate model outputs. Model outputs of future, i.e. 2K and 4K warmer, storylines are used to predict mortality rates under such climatic conditions. We find that we can train an echo state network with recent temperature data and mortality and make plausible predictions about expected developments of mortality in Germany based on future climate storylines. The trained network can successfully predict mortality rates for future climate conditions. We find increased mortality during the summer months which is attributed to the presence of more severe heat waves. The mortality decrease found during winter can be explained milder winters leading to fewer deaths caused by respiratory diseases. However, mortality in winter is largely influenced by other factors such as influenza waves or vaccination rate and explainability due to temperature is limited.
format Article
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institution OA Journals
issn 2045-2322
language English
publishDate 2024-10-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
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spelling doaj-art-7a2d78b1ba2e427ebfd57d48096945162025-08-20T02:16:59ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-10-011411910.1038/s41598-024-77398-3Neural network based estimates of the climate impact on mortality in Germany: application to storyline climate simulationsR. Schachtschneider0J. Saynisch-Wagner1A. Sánchez-Benítez2M. Thomas3Helmholtz Centre Potsdam GFZ German Research Centre for GeosciencesHelmholtz Centre Potsdam GFZ German Research Centre for GeosciencesAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine ResearchHelmholtz Centre Potsdam GFZ German Research Centre for GeosciencesAbstract The aim of this work is the prediction of heat-related mortality for Germany under future, i.e. hotter, climate conditions. The prediction is made based on 2m temperature data from climate storyline simulations using machine learning techniques. We use an echo state network for linking the outputs of storyline climate simulations to the target data. The target data are all-cause mortality rates of Germany for all ages. The network is trained with present day climate model outputs. Model outputs of future, i.e. 2K and 4K warmer, storylines are used to predict mortality rates under such climatic conditions. We find that we can train an echo state network with recent temperature data and mortality and make plausible predictions about expected developments of mortality in Germany based on future climate storylines. The trained network can successfully predict mortality rates for future climate conditions. We find increased mortality during the summer months which is attributed to the presence of more severe heat waves. The mortality decrease found during winter can be explained milder winters leading to fewer deaths caused by respiratory diseases. However, mortality in winter is largely influenced by other factors such as influenza waves or vaccination rate and explainability due to temperature is limited.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-77398-3Climate changeMachine learningMortality predictionHuman healthStoryline simulations
spellingShingle R. Schachtschneider
J. Saynisch-Wagner
A. Sánchez-Benítez
M. Thomas
Neural network based estimates of the climate impact on mortality in Germany: application to storyline climate simulations
Scientific Reports
Climate change
Machine learning
Mortality prediction
Human health
Storyline simulations
title Neural network based estimates of the climate impact on mortality in Germany: application to storyline climate simulations
title_full Neural network based estimates of the climate impact on mortality in Germany: application to storyline climate simulations
title_fullStr Neural network based estimates of the climate impact on mortality in Germany: application to storyline climate simulations
title_full_unstemmed Neural network based estimates of the climate impact on mortality in Germany: application to storyline climate simulations
title_short Neural network based estimates of the climate impact on mortality in Germany: application to storyline climate simulations
title_sort neural network based estimates of the climate impact on mortality in germany application to storyline climate simulations
topic Climate change
Machine learning
Mortality prediction
Human health
Storyline simulations
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-77398-3
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AT jsaynischwagner neuralnetworkbasedestimatesoftheclimateimpactonmortalityingermanyapplicationtostorylineclimatesimulations
AT asanchezbenitez neuralnetworkbasedestimatesoftheclimateimpactonmortalityingermanyapplicationtostorylineclimatesimulations
AT mthomas neuralnetworkbasedestimatesoftheclimateimpactonmortalityingermanyapplicationtostorylineclimatesimulations