Urgent Report: Inaction on Climate Change Claims Millions of Lives Annually—What You Need to Know

The latest Lancet Countdown Report highlights a stark reality: climate change is causing millions of deaths each year. The report indicates that health-related climate issues, such as rising temperatures and pollution, are at an all-time high. This impacts global health more than ever.

Heat-related fatalities have spiked by 23% since the 1990s. Annually, around 546,000 people die due to heat, with wildfire smoke pollution accounting for over 154,000 deaths just in 2024. Mosquito-borne diseases, like dengue, are also spreading, increasing by nearly 49% since the 1950s.

Dr. Marina Romanello, the Executive Director of the Lancet Countdown, emphasizes that “record-breaking heat and pollution are harming lives everywhere.” She also points out that significant changes are necessary, like moving away from fossil fuels and enhancing our climate adaptation strategies.

The report, crafted by 128 experts from various institutions, underscores the health fallout from climate inaction. It links air pollution from fossil fuels to about 2.5 million deaths per year. Ironically, governments spent around $956 billion on fossil fuel subsidies in 2023—over three times the amount earmarked for helping climate-vulnerable nations.

Production rates from oil and gas companies are three times higher than what the planet can sustain. Some fossil fuel-heavy countries have allocated more funds to these subsidies than to their health budgets.

Economically, the impact is severe. Heat exposure in 2024 resulted in 639 billion lost labor hours, equating to around $1.09 trillion in income losses—almost 1% of the global GDP. Moreover, the financial costs of heat-related deaths among older adults alone reached about $261 billion last year.

2024 has set records for heat exposure, with the average person facing an additional 16 extremely hot days largely due to climate change. Vulnerable groups like infants and the elderly are particularly affected, experiencing up to 20 such days—a 300% increase since the late 20th century.

Despite these alarming figures, there’s room for optimism. Between 2010 and 2022, a global shift away from coal saved around 160,000 lives annually. Renewable energy now accounts for 12% of total electricity production, with 16 million people employed in the sector—an 18% rise from the previous year.

Cities and health sectors are stepping up to tackle climate change. Nearly 834 cities worldwide have initiated climate risk assessments. Between 2021 and 2022, health-sector emissions fell by 16%.

However, there’s a looming danger. Experts warn that if current policies continue, emissions from the world’s top 100 fossil fuel companies could rise sharply, threatening the planet’s future. In 2024, private banks invested $611 billion in fossil fuel projects, a 29% increase from the previous year.

Professor Nadia Ameli, Co-Chair of the Lancet Countdown Working Group, stresses that “every tonne of carbon emitted today increases future adaptation costs.” If we remain reliant on fossil fuels, our health systems will likely buckle under pressure.

The report concludes that addressing climate change is a significant health opportunity. Embracing clean energy and sustainable diets could prevent up to 10 million premature deaths each year. Dr. Romanello urges that while some leaders may retreat from climate commitments, local actions show that progress is achievable. The solutions are at hand; what’s needed now is the collective will to act. Delays only cost lives.

For more in-depth insights, you can refer to The Lancet Countdown Report and stay updated.

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climate inaction, change mitigation, adaptation, extreme weather events, global warming, emissions