Climate Change Drives Record Health Threats: Urgent Report Highlights Growing Concerns

A major report reveals that climate change poses unprecedented health threats globally, with extreme weather events increasing, heat-related deaths rising significantly, and infectious diseases spreading. Despite some progress in reducing pollution and increasing renewable energy usage, fossil fuel dependency continues to complicate efforts to combat these health risks. Urgent action is needed to address the growing crisis.

A recent comprehensive report highlights the alarming impact of climate change on human health across the globe, underscoring the urgency of addressing these threats. Released in conjunction with extreme weather events such as heatwaves, wildfires, hurricanes, droughts, and floods, this report indicates that 2023 may become the hottest year recorded in history. The report, prepared by 122 experts collaborating under the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change, reveals that ten out of fifteen tracked indicators have reached unprecedented levels of concern. These indicators include increased extreme weather events, significant heat-related fatalities among the elderly, the expansion of infectious diseases, and heightened food insecurity due to agricultural disruptions from climate phenomena. Marina Romanello, executive director of the Lancet Countdown, expressed that the findings reveal significant health risks at a global scale, stating, “There are record threats to the health and survival of people in every country, to levels we have never seen before.” The report articulates a troubling increase in heat-related deaths among individuals over the age of sixty-five, which has surged by 167% since the 1990s, along with the proliferation of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever, which reached a record five million cases worldwide last year. Furthermore, deforestation has intensified, with around 5% of global tree cover lost between 2016 and 2022, thereby diminishing the planet’s ability to sequester carbon dioxide emissions from human activities. Adding to the crisis, major oil and gas corporations, supported by ambiguous government policies, have sustained their profit margins by ramping up fossil fuel production, exacerbating greenhouse gas emissions which rose again last year, as per the World Meteorological Organization’s latest data. The report stresses that fossil fuel subsidies increased dramatically, reaching $1.4 trillion in 2022; a stark contrast to investments aimed at transitioning to renewable energy sources. Despite these grim findings, Romanello highlighted some optimistic advancements, notably a 7% reduction in deaths linked to fossil fuel-related air pollution from 2016 to 2021, primarily driven by initiatives to limit coal combustion. The share of renewable energy in electricity generation has also shown remarkable progress, nearly doubling during the same timeframe. Romanello urged immediate action, stating, “There is really no more time to waste… the wasted time has been paid in lives.” She advised individuals to adopt climate-friendly practices, including sustainable dietary choices, reducing reliance on fossil fuels in transportation, divesting from fossil fuel industries, and supporting political leaders committed to climate action.

The report released by the Lancet Countdown serves as an annual assessment of the interplay between health and climate change, underscoring the increasingly severe consequences of environmental degradation on human health. With the world facing unprecedented weather conditions attributed to climate change, the report highlights the critical need for urgent policy interventions and global cooperation to mitigate the adverse effects on human well-being. As nations prepare for the upcoming United Nations COP29 summit, this report serves as a vital call to action for governments and stakeholders alike to prioritize health in climate strategies.

In conclusion, the Lancet Countdown’s report presents an urgent warning regarding the escalating threats posed by climate change to global health. While the evidence of detrimental effects is startling, the report also encourages recognition of positive developments in pollution reduction and increased adoption of renewable energy. Urgent global action is imperative to combat these pressing health risks related to climate change, as time is of the essence.

Original Source: jen.jiji.com