As global temperatures continue to rise due to climate change, an international team of health experts warned on Tuesday of a concerning surge in heat-related illnesses and deaths. The Lancet medical journal's report projected a staggering 370% increase in yearly heat deaths by mid-century if the world warms by 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels.
The study, involving over 100 experts from 52 research institutions and United Nations agencies, including the World Health Organization, revealed that with approximately 1.1°C of warming, people faced an average of 86 days with health-threatening high temperatures in 2022.
Most vulnerable to rising temperatures are individuals over 65, with deaths in this age group increasing by up to 47% over the past decade compared to the period from 1991 to 2000.
The findings raise significant concerns about the health impacts of heat, emphasizing the urgency of addressing climate change. Earlier this year, another study estimated that around 61,000 people likely died during European heatwaves in the summer of 2022.
The Lancet report, the eighth of its kind assessing global health outcomes affected by climate change, also indicated that heat exposure could have resulted in 490 billion lost labor hours in 2022, up nearly 42% from the 1991-2000 period. More frequent heatwaves may lead to food insecurity for an additional 525 million people by mid-century.
The upcoming United Nations climate change conference, COP28, scheduled in Dubai later this month, will include a focus on health impacts for the first time. Approximately 46 million health professionals have urged COP28 to advocate for a phased-out approach to fossil fuels, recognizing the critical link between climate action and public health.
