The recent report by Lancet countdown titled “Health at the Mercy of Fossil Fuels” reveals the devastating impact of climate change on public health, especially in developing nations like India. This global report is the outcome of a collaborative effort among 99 experts from 51 institutions including prestigious organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The purpose of this annual report centers on tracking the evolving health consequences of climate change and presenting an independent evaluation of how governments are fulfilling their climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.
It covers countries that constitute 50% of the world’s population and contribute to 70% of the global emissions, which include Brazil, China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, South Africa, UK, and the US. The Lancet Countdown report, established following the 2015 Lancet Commission on Health and Climate Change, monitors 43 indicators across five essential domains such as Climate Change Impacts, Exposures and Vulnerability; adaptation, Planning, and resilient health; mitigation actions and health co-benefits; economics finance and public and political engagement.
Key Findings of The Report
The report starkly highlights the detrimental effects of fossil fuel subsidies. Notably, in 2021, 80% of the countries evaluated provided some form of fossil fuel subsidy, totaling USD 400 billion, which has led to numerous global issues. Air quality deterioration, decline in food output, and increased risk of infectious diseases linked to higher carbon emissions are attributed to these subsidies. In India, the net spending on fossil fuel subsidies was USD 34 billion in 2019, accounting for 5% of total national health spending. It further points out that fossil fuel pollutants were responsible for over 3,30,000 deaths in India in 2020.
The report also elaborates on the severe impact of rising temperatures on different age groups. Infants under one year old experienced an average of 72 million more person-days of heatwaves per year from 2012-2021, compared to 1985-2005, and adults over 65 experienced 301 million more such days during this period. Additionally, heat-related deaths in India increased by 55% between 2000-2004 and 2017-2021.
Another significant revelation from the report is the substantial potential labor loss due to heat exposure in India, estimated at 167.2 billion labor hours or about 5.4% of the national GDP in 2021.
Suggested Measures and Recommendations
Taking into account its findings, the report emphasizes several crucial recommendations. It underscores the necessity for improving air quality as a measure to prevent deaths from exposure to fossil fuel-derived particulate matter. It also urges the development of climate solutions proportionate to the scale of the issue, emphasizing the need for governments to invest more resources in environmental protection.
India’s Initiatives to Control Air Pollution
In response to the escalating environmental challenges, India has taken several initiatives to control air pollution. These include launching the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) Portal, implementing the Air Quality Index, establishing a new Commission for Air Quality Management, promoting cleaner BS-VI vehicles and Electric Vehicles (EVs), utilizing the Turbo Happy Seeder (THS) machine to reduce stubble burning, instituting the National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP), embarking on the National Solar Mission, and introducing the National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy 2018.
