The Lancet report reveals that health impacts from climate change have reached unprecedented levels globally, with India among the most affected nations. Highlighting record-breaking heatwaves and rising food insecurity, the report underscores the urgent need for substantial investments in health protection and climate resilience, particularly as the effects of climate change intensify.
A recent report released on October 30 by The Lancet, a leading academic journal, highlights the alarming health impacts attributed to climate change, with India identified as one of the countries most severely affected. The report, titled “Countdown on Health and Climate Change,” indicates that 10 out of 15 health indicators have reached all-time highs due to the climate crisis. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, asserted, “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.” United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for urgent action by stating, “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.” The report further indicates that in 2023, individuals experienced, on average, 50 additional health-threatening days compared to projections without climate change. Moreover, extreme drought conditions affected nearly half of the global land area in the preceding year. The Lancet report indicates a concerning correlation between the rise in heatwaves and droughts leading to 151 million more individuals facing moderate or severe food insecurity today compared to data from 1981 to 2010. Financial investments in fossil fuels continue to undermine climate efforts, with investments in fossil fuel extraction representing 36.6% of global energy expenditure in 2023. More specifically, India has been disproportionately impacted by climate change, experiencing record-breaking heatwaves. In 2023, individuals in India were exposed to more than 2,400 hours of heat, posing a moderate risk for heat stress. The report notes that the most vulnerable populations, such as infants and the elderly, experienced significantly increased exposure to heatwaves from 2014 to 2023 compared to previous decades. Economic repercussions are substantial, with an estimated 181 billion labor hours lost due to heat exposure and USD 141 billion in potential income losses in 2023. Furthermore, India’s coastal regions, which are home to approximately 18.1 million people living below one meter above sea level, face increasing threats from rising seas. Tuhin Ghosh, a researcher from Jadavpur University, mentioned, “Our studies have shown that 7 of 10 families in the Sundarbans migrate, and climate change impacts play a key role in these dynamics.” The report also points to alterations in the transmission of climate-sensitive infectious diseases in India, with malaria extending to higher altitudes and a notable 85% increase in the transmission potential for dengue from 1951-1960 to 2014-2023. The coastal population now faces heightened susceptibility to pathogens like vibrio due to changing climatic conditions. To sustain its development aspirations, experts such as Sanjay Vashist of the Climate Action Network South Asia emphasize the need for India to enhance its climate resilience through increased investment. In summary, the Lancet report underscores the urgent demand for collaborative global action to address the intertwined crises of climate change and health.
The report titled ‘Countdown on Health and Climate Change’ by The Lancet underscores the severe health impacts resulting from climate change globally, with special emphasis on countries like India that have encountered significant adverse effects over the past decade. The mounting frequency of climate-related disasters and temperature extremes is contributing to a plethora of health threats, including increased food insecurity and a rise in climate-sensitive diseases. Furthermore, the report highlights the role of fossil fuel investments that aggravate climate issues, impeding necessary action for climate resilience and public health protection.
The findings of The Lancet’s report highlight the critical intersection between climate change and public health, particularly in nations such as India, which are vulnerable to climatic extremes leading to dire health outcomes. With escalating health risks from increased temperatures, food insecurity, and the spread of infectious diseases, there is an urgent call for transformative action and investment strategies that prioritize climate resilience and health security.
Original Source: www.downtoearth.org.in
