The Trump administration recently decided to delete a scientific report confirming that climate change poses serious public health threats. This conclusion, labeled a “scam” by former President Trump, contradicts extensive research that shows climate change is already harming people.
Numerous studies highlight a stark reality: rising temperatures lead to increasing rates of disease and death. A significant finding includes a report from JAMA that noted heat-related deaths in the U.S. have more than doubled in the last 25 years, jumping from 1,069 in 1999 to a record 2,325 in 2023.
Research has identified that human-caused climate change is responsible for over one-third of heat-related deaths globally, which translates to an estimated 9,700 lives lost each year due to fossil fuel emissions. A recent Texas study indicated that 2.2% of summer deaths from 2010 to 2023 were linked to extreme heat.
Between 2009 and now, over 29,000 peer-reviewed studies have explored the connection between climate and health, with a notable increase in the last five years. Dr. Howard Frumkin, a public health expert, emphasizes that these studies establish a clear link between climate change and health risks. He argues that reversing the endangerment finding is akin to denying gravity.
Experts like Dr. Jonathan Patz have observed real-life consequences of extreme weather events, like the deadly heat dome in 2021 that claimed over 600 lives in the Pacific Northwest. Studies show such events are increasingly linked to climate change.
Beyond heat-related illnesses, climate change contributes to a range of health issues, including spreading infectious diseases, mental health disorders, and malnutrition. Dr. Lynn Goldman highlights that as communities are displaced by rising oceans and extreme weather, the health implications grow even more complex.
Cold weather still poses significant risks, with studies indicating that cold-related deaths are 13 times higher than those from heat. However, as global temperatures rise, the danger of heat exposure is expected to increase rapidly, especially if society does not adapt effectively.
In summary, the science strongly points to climate change as a critical public health issue. The ongoing research continues to reveal its profound impacts on our health and well-being.
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climate change, health danger, climate deniers
