The latest report from the Lancet Countdown underscores the exacerbated threats climate change presents to global health, showcasing records in health indicators linked to extreme weather and increased mortality. Key findings include a 167 percent rise in heat-related deaths among the elderly since the 1990s, the spread of diseases like dengue, and ongoing increases in greenhouse gas emissions despite prior warnings.
A recent report indicates that climate change represents an escalating threat to global health, manifesting in unprecedented ways. The report surfaced amid intensifying weather phenomena, including heat waves, wildfires, hurricanes, droughts, and floods, which are likely to contribute to 2023 becoming the hottest year recorded. This critical release precedes the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP29, scheduled to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, and coincides with a pivotal U.S. election that may potentially reinstate climate change skeptic Donald Trump. Compiled by a panel of 122 experts, including representatives from esteemed organizations such as the World Health Organization, the eighth Lancet Countdown on health and climate change details alarming trends. According to the report, out of fifteen monitored indicators over the previous eight years, ten have reached alarming new records. This includes a marked increase in extreme weather events, a significant rise in heat-related deaths among the elderly, a surge in infectious diseases, and a dire situation where individuals go without food due to agricultural impacts from droughts and floods. Executive Director of the Lancet Countdown, Marina Romanello, emphasized this urgency, stating that the findings make evident the “record threats to the health and survival of people in every country, to levels we have never seen before.” The data reveals an alarming 167 percent increase in heat-related deaths among individuals over the age of 65 since the 1990s. Additionally, warmer temperatures have expanded the habitat for mosquitoes, which has led to the dissemination of lethal diseases. In 2022 alone, over five million dengue cases were reported globally. Forests have also suffered, with approximately five percent loss of tree cover between 2016 and 2022, diminishing the Earth’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide. Moreover, the report scrutinizes the role of oil and gas enterprises, along with certain governments and financial institutions, in exacerbating climate change issues. Despite several decades of cautionary advice, global emissions of principal greenhouse gases continued to rise last year, as reported by the World Meteorological Organization. Notably, large fossil fuel companies have not only generated record profits but have also augmented their production while various nations provided new subsidies for fossil fuels following the surge in oil and gas prices post-Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The interplay between climate change and health has become increasingly pronounced as environmental conditions shift dramatically around the world. The Lancet Countdown, established to track the health impacts of climate change, presents a comprehensive analysis of how rising temperatures and extreme weather patterns correlate with various health threats. This report garners attention not only for its scientific assessments but also for its timely emergence in the context of pivotal global events such as climate conferences and elections, which influence policy and public awareness regarding climate issues.
The recent Lancet Countdown report starkly illustrates the escalating threats posed by climate change to global health, recording unprecedented data across multiple indicators. With alarming increases in health risks from extreme weather and infectious diseases, and a growing recognition of the responsibilities of fossil fuel industries, urgent action is needed to mitigate these risks. The timely publication of this report highlights the critical intersection of public health and environmental policy as the world prepares for significant discussions at COP29 and faces potential shifts in political leadership in the United States.
Original Source: www.manilatimes.net
