Climate change has reached dangerous levels, as the hottest year on record in 2023 saw an increase in dangerous temperatures, leading to more deaths and the spread of infectious diseases. The Lancet Countdown report released by health experts warns of the dire consequences, with 10 out of 15 indicators tracking concerning new records. Droughts, floods, fires, and hurricanes have continued to wreak havoc in 2023, expected to be the hottest year on record. The elderly are particularly vulnerable, with a 167 percent increase in heat-related deaths in people over 65 compared to the 1990s.
The report highlights the increasing impact of rising temperatures on health, with heat not only causing more deaths but also leading to diseases and pathologies associated with heat exposure. Economic losses are also a concern, with the extreme heat of last year resulting in an estimated 512 billion potential labour hours lost globally, worth hundreds of billions of dollars in potential income. The report also points out how oil and gas companies, along with certain governments and banks, are exacerbating climate change by increasing fossil fuel production.
Food security is increasingly threatened by climate change, as up to 48 percent of the world’s land area faced extreme drought conditions last year, leading to an additional 151 million people experiencing food insecurity compared to previous decades. Extreme rainfall has also caused flooding in roughly 60 percent of lands, raising risks of water contamination and infectious diseases. The authors of the study call for action at the upcoming COP29 United Nations climate summit to direct funds towards public health and mitigation efforts.
Despite the alarming warnings, the report also notes some positive progress, such as a nearly 7 percent reduction in deaths from fossil fuel-related air pollution from 2016 to 2021. Efforts to reduce pollution from burning coal have contributed to this decline. The share of clean renewables used to generate electricity has also nearly doubled over the same period to 10.5 percent. However, the report emphasizes that no individual or economy is immune from the health threats posed by climate change.
As the world grapples with the accelerating impacts of climate change, urgent action is needed to mitigate the health and economic consequences. The Lancet Countdown report serves as a stark reminder of the need for global cooperation and decisive measures to address the root causes of climate change. With the upcoming COP29 climate summit, there is hope that world leaders will prioritize public health and sustainability to combat the growing crisis.
