What Could Be the Worst Impact of Climate Change? New Lancet Report Announced

Last Update:07 November 2024 17:52 IST

The Lancet report stated that in 2023, 31 countries will experience at least 100 more days of health-threatening heat, 151 million people in the world will experience food shortages, and life-threatening diseases such as dengue fever, malaria and West Nile virus will continue to spread.

According to the Lancet report, between 2014 and 2023, every baby and adult over the age of 65 in India was exposed to an average of 7.7 and 8.4 heat waves per year. (Getty Images)

A 2024 Lancet report finds that health risks from climate change are increasing in most countries; India is one of the worst affected.

The report titled ‘Countdown on Health and Climate Change’ has been published Lancet On October 30, it was seen that “10 of the 15 indicators tracking health threats reached new records.”

The report warned that despite commitments in the 2015 Paris Agreement, global temperatures are approaching the 1.5°C limit, significantly increasing health risks. The report was published ahead of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) held in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), said: “The climate crisis is a health crisis. “As the planet warms, climate-related disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity, leaving no region untouched.”

United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres said: “Record levels of emissions pose a record threat to our health. “We must cure the disease of climate inertia by reducing emissions, protecting people from climate extremes and ending our dependence on fossil fuels.”

What are the Main Findings of the Report?

The report stated that in 2019-23, people were exposed to health-threatening heat for an average of 46 days more than expected if there was no climate change, and this value will reach a record level for another 50 days in 2023.

In 2023, approximately 31 countries experienced health-threatening temperatures that were at least 100 days higher than expected in the absence of climate change. The number of health-threatening hot days added by climate change decreases with the increase in the Human Development Index level; This reflects strong global inequalities in heat exposure.

According to the report, it was observed that 6% more sleep was wasted in 2023 compared to the 1986-2005 average due to high temperatures. Sleep deprivation has detrimental effects on both mental and physical health.

By 2022, 151 million people in 124 countries are experiencing moderate to severe food shortages due to the combined effects of heat waves, droughts and other extreme weather conditions, the report said.

Life-threatening diseases such as dengue fever, malaria and West Nile virus continue to spread to new areas as rising temperatures and hotter, drier weather lead to more sand and dust storms. “Extreme drought has contributed to people’s exposure to dangerous amounts of desert dust, which increased in 48% of countries between 2003-07 and 2018-22,” the report said.

The report says governments and companies are “fueling the fire” by making significant investments in fossil fuels, narrowing the chances of survival for people around the world with greenhouse gas emissions at all-time highs and delays in adapting to climate change.

The report also noted that financial resources are available to achieve net-zero emissions, but governments and companies are spending trillions of dollars on fossil fuel subsidies and investments that worsen climate change. This money should be directed to clean renewable energy and activities that benefit people’s health and livelihoods, the report said.

What Does the Report Say About India?

The report talks about how record-breaking heat waves in India affect the health of individuals. “In 2023, each person was exposed for more than 2,400 hours, equivalent to 100 days per year in which light outdoor activities such as walking pose at least a moderate risk of heat stress.” Telegram conveyed the report.

Not only this, climate change has also affected the sea level in coastal areas. “India’s extensive coastline of over 7,500 km faces serious threats from rising sea levels due to both natural processes and human activities. Coastal regions such as Sunderbans, Mumbai, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha and parts of Gujarat are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of sea level rise, the report said.

The report states that in 2023, approximately 18.1 million people in the country will reside in regions with an altitude below 1 meter above sea level, and this situation triggers migration.

The report emphasizes that babies and the elderly are most affected by climate change. “Between 2014 and 2023, every baby and adult over the age of 65 was exposed to an average of 7.7 and 8.4 heat waves per year; The report stated that it was (over) 47 percent and 58 percent compared to 1990-1999.

Climate change has also affected the spread of diseases; While malaria, usually confined to lowland areas, spread to the Himalayas, dengue fever spread across the country.

According to the report, India witnessed not only physical stress but also economic losses; “181 billion potential work hours lost due to heat exposure in 2023 (and) $141 billion in potential lost income from reduced workforce capacity due to heat in 2023.” highlighted.