The year 2024 has witnessed an alarming escalation in the impacts of climate change, as evidenced by a recent report from the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change. This comprehensive analysis, conducted by 122 researchers from various UN agencies and academic institutions, puts stress on the dire consequences of rising temperatures and extreme weather patterns on human health and livelihoods.
About Climate Change
Climate change refers to alterations in global temperatures and weather patterns over time. While it is a natural phenomenon, human activities—particularly the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes—have accelerated these changes. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has brought into light that the Earth’s average temperature has risen by approximately 1.1 degrees Celsius since the late 19th century, primarily due to anthropogenic factors.
Recent Findings on Health and Climate
The Lancet report reveals that nearly 48% of the world’s land area was subjected to extreme drought conditions last year. This has profound implications for food security, with an estimated 151 million additional individuals facing food insecurity compared to the baseline years of 1981-2010. Such droughts not only threaten agricultural productivity but also exacerbate malnutrition and health issues in vulnerable populations.
Extreme Weather Events
In 2023, a staggering 60% of land experienced extreme rainfall, leading to floods and heightened risks of water contamination and infectious diseases. These weather extremes have a cascading effect on public health systems, particularly in developing nations where infrastructure is often inadequate to handle such crises. The economic impact is equally severe, with average annual losses from weather-related events escalating to $227 billion between 2019 and 2023.
Heat Exposure and Public Health
The report marks that heat exposure has reached unprecedented levels, with individuals engaging in outdoor activities facing a 27.7% increase in risk of heat stress compared to the 1990s. Last year, the average person endured 50 more days of dangerously high temperatures, contributing to a staggering 167% rise in heat-related deaths among individuals over 65 since the 1990s. This demographic is particularly vulnerable, as older adults often have pre-existing health conditions that can be exacerbated by extreme heat.
Particulate Matter and Air Quality
The hotter, drier conditions have also led to a 31% increase in exposure to dangerously high levels of particulate matter from 2003-2007 to 2018-2022. Poor air quality is linked to a range of health issues, including respiratory diseases and cardiovascular problems, further straining healthcare systems already burdened by climate-related challenges.
