Climate change is causing temperatures to rise to dangerous levels, leading to an increase in deaths and the spread of infectious diseases, as well as exacerbating issues such as drought and food insecurity, according to a new report by health experts. The Lancet Countdown report, based on work by 122 experts including the World Health Organization (WHO), highlights the impact of climate change on public health. In 2023, the hottest year on record, the average person experienced 50 more days of dangerous temperatures as a result of climate change.
The report notes that current policies and actions are putting the world on track to experience a temperature increase of 2.7 degrees Celsius by 2100. Of the 15 indicators tracked by the experts over the last eight years, 10 have reached concerning new records, including increasing extreme weather events, deaths in elderly populations due to heat, and food insecurity as droughts and floods impact crop production. The elderly are particularly vulnerable, with heat-related deaths in people over 65 reaching levels 167 percent higher than in the 1990s.
Rising temperatures are not only leading to increased mortality and diseases associated with heat exposure, but they are also resulting in significant economic losses. Last year’s extreme heat cost the global economy an estimated 512 billion potential labor hours, worth hundreds of billions of dollars in potential income. The report also highlights the role of oil and gas companies in exacerbating climate change, as many have increased fossil fuel production, despite record profits. Some governments and banks have also provided subsidies to fossil fuels in response to rising oil and gas prices.
Climate change is also impacting food security, with up to 48 percent of the world’s land area facing extreme drought conditions in the previous year. This has led to an estimated 151 million more people experiencing food insecurity compared to the years 1981-2010. Additionally, extreme rainfall has affected approximately 60 percent of lands, resulting in floods and increased risks of water contamination and infectious diseases, while the threat of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue has grown.
The authors of the report are urging the upcoming United Nations climate summit, COP29, to prioritize funding for public health initiatives to address the growing health impacts of climate change. Despite the concerning trends highlighted in the report, there have been some positive developments, including a nearly 7 percent decrease in deaths from fossil fuel-related air pollution and a significant increase in the use of clean renewables for electricity generation. However, the executive director of the Lancet Countdown emphasizes that no individual or economy is immune from the health threats posed by climate change.
