In a sobering revelation, the Lancet Countdown’s ninth report on health and the climate crisis has unveiled the unprecedented threats faced by people worldwide due to the rapidly changing climate. The landmark study, conducted by University College London researchers, found that heat-related deaths, food insecurity, and the spread of infectious diseases reached alarming levels in 2023.
Extreme Drought and Heat Waves Take a Toll
The report highlighted that in 2023, a staggering 48% of the global land area experienced extreme drought lasting at least one month. Moreover, people had to endure an additional 50 days of health-threatening temperatures compared to what would have been expected without the climate crisis. These extreme conditions had far-reaching consequences on human health and well-being.
Surge in Food Insecurity and Malnutrition
As a result of the harsh weather conditions, an alarming 151 million more people faced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2023, putting them at risk of malnutrition and other health hazards. The impact on vulnerable populations was particularly severe, exacerbating existing inequalities and posing significant challenges to global health efforts.
Elderly Population Hit Hard by Heat-Related Deaths
The study revealed a shocking 167% increase in heat-related deaths among the over-65 population in 2023 compared to the 1990s. While an aging global population would have led to a 65% increase in such deaths even without the climate crisis, the actual figures paint a grim picture of the toll taken by rising temperatures on the elderly.
“This year’s stocktake of the imminent health threats of climate inaction reveals the most concerning findings yet,” warned Dr Marina Romanello, executive director of the Lancet Countdown at University College London.
Sleep Disruption and Mental Health Concerns
High temperatures also led to a record 6% more hours of lost sleep in 2023 compared to the 1986–2005 average. Poor sleep has been linked to a range of negative effects on physical and mental health, adding to the burden on individuals and healthcare systems.
Spread of Infectious Diseases
The changing climate has also facilitated the spread of life-threatening diseases such as dengue, malaria, and West Nile virus into new areas. Hotter and drier weather conditions have contributed to an increase in sand and dust storms, exposing 31% more people to dangerously high particulate matter concentrations.
Fossil Fuel Expansion Exacerbates the Crisis
Despite the alarming health consequences, governments and companies continue to invest in fossil fuels, leading to record-high greenhouse gas emissions and staggering tree loss. In 2023, global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions reached an all-time high, while the proportion of fossil fuels in the global energy system increased for the first time in a decade.
“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,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization.
The report serves as a wake-up call for immediate action to mitigate the health impacts of the climate crisis. Urgent measures are needed to slash emissions, protect populations from climate extremes, and end the reliance on fossil fuels. Failure to act swiftly will only compound the risks to human health and well-being in the years to come.
As emphasized by António Guterres, the United Nations secretary general, “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 – to create a fairer, safer and healthier future for all.”
The Lancet Countdown report serves as a stark reminder that the climate crisis is not a distant threat but an immediate risk to health. It is a call to action for governments, organizations, and individuals worldwide to prioritize climate action and protect the health and well-being of current and future generations.
