A Lancet report released on October 30 highlights severe health impacts from climate change, with India notably affected. The report records unprecedented health threats, linking climate change to increased temperature exposure, economic losses due to heat, rising sea levels, and shifts in infectious diseases. It calls for immediate climate action, emphasizing the urgent need to redirect investments toward health and climate resilience.
A recent report published by The Lancet, dated October 30, highlights alarming health consequences driven by climate change, particularly emphasizing India’s severe vulnerabilities. The ‘Countdown on Health and Climate Change’ report reveals that numerous countries are impacted, with India ranking among the most affected. The report identified a staggering 10 out of 15 health-related indicators as reaching unprecedented levels due to climate change. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, noted, “The climate crisis is a health crisis. As the planet heats up, the frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters increase, leaving no region untouched.” Additionally, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres remarked on the dire situation, stating, “Record-high emissions are posing record-breaking threats to our health. We must cure the sickness of climate inaction by slashing emissions, protecting people from climate extremes, and ending our fossil fuel addiction.” The data reveals a significant increase in health-threatening temperature exposure; in 2023, individuals faced an average of 50 more days of harmful temperatures than previously expected. Drought affected nearly half of the global land area, and the relationship between climate conditions and food insecurity has become increasingly evident, with 151 million more people facing moderate to severe food insecurity annually compared to historical data. Fossil fuel investment still dominates, consuming 36.6 percent of global energy investment in 2023, with many nations boosting fossil fuel subsidies amid rising energy prices linked to geopolitical unrest, particularly the conflict in Ukraine. Notably, 72 of the 86 countries analyzed in the report subsidized fossil fuels, accounting for an unprecedented $1.4 trillion, overshadowing any pledged climate action expenditure made at recent international climate conferences. India has specifically encountered record heatwaves, with individuals experiencing over 2,400 hours (or 100 days) of moderate heat stress conditions in 2023. The report finds that infants and the elderly are disproportionately affected, revealing an average of 7.7 and 8.4 heatwave days annually for these groups, respectively. The economic toll is equally severe, with an estimated 181 billion potential labor hours lost owing to heat exposure, leading to a projected income loss of $141 billion in 2023. Rising sea levels pose another imminent threat, with about 18.1 million individuals in India living below one meter above sea level, particularly endangering coastal regions like Sundarbans and parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Gujarat. Research has shown significant migration due to climatic impacts, with claims that 70 percent of families in the Sundarbans are currently displaced. The report emphasizes that India’s ambition for development must incorporate investments toward climate resilience to mitigate health impacts that hinder growth. Furthermore, the decade’s climate changes have prompted notable shifts in the transmission of climate-sensitive infectious diseases, with malaria expanding into Himalayan regions and an increased risk of dengue and other communicable diseases in coastal areas. Overall, the Lancet report makes a compelling case for urgent climate action in India and beyond, stressing the need for equitable funding to support public health resilience against climate change.
The Lancet’s recent report provides a critical analysis of the health impacts of climate change, spotlighting India’s vulnerabilities amidst a broader global context. It underscores the rising intricacies between climate phenomena and health outcomes, illustrating how climate change exacerbates existing health challenges, particularly in vulnerable populations.
In summary, the Lancet report paints a concerning picture of the health implications stemming from climate change, with India being one of the hardest-hit countries. The increased exposure to extreme temperatures, coupled with economic losses and the spread of infectious diseases, demands immediate and decisive action to bolster resilience against the ongoing climate crisis. There is an urgent need for global and national strategies focusing on sustainable practices and health protection to counteract these impacts.
Original Source: www.downtoearth.org.in
