A new report from The Lancet warns that rapid climate change poses unprecedented health risks globally, driving a surge in heat-related deaths, increasing food insecurity, and spreading disease in vulnerable regions heavily impacted by economic and environmental stressors. Released on October 29, the annual report was developed in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and various global experts.
Heat-Related Deaths on the Rise:
In 2023, climate change resulted in an average of 50 more days of extreme heat than would have occurred otherwise. Heat-related deaths among those over 65 have soared, up by 167% from the 1990s, setting a new record. The report also revealed that extreme heat caused a loss of 512 billion work hours this year, translating into $835 billion in lost income, particularly affecting agriculture in developing countries.
Food Insecurity Worsening:
Heat waves and droughts in 2022 left an additional 151 million people facing food insecurity across 124 nations. By 2023, nearly half of the world’s land experienced at least one month of drought, up from 15% in the 1950s. The Lancet highlighted that climate change is reducing crop yields, disrupting supply chains, and threatening marine resources due to rising coastal temperatures, all of which exacerbate food insecurity and undernutrition.
Extreme Weather Escalation:
Extreme weather events are surging, with more intense droughts and higher temperatures fueling wildfires, damaging infrastructure, and disrupting services. Floods have also become more frequent, with 61% of global land seeing increased extreme rainfall over the past decade. The economic toll of these events has risen 23% since 2010, costing $227 billion in 2023. Wealthier nations often mitigate these damages through insurance, but low-income countries face severe losses.
Increased Disease Transmission:
Rising global temperatures are facilitating the spread of diseases like dengue, malaria, and the West Nile virus to new regions. Dengue cases alone have risen 46% over the past decade, with a record 5 million cases reported globally in 2023. France, for instance, has witnessed a surge in dengue cases, with 4,042 imported and 85 local cases recorded in 2024, marking a sharp increase.
The Lancet report emphasizes the urgent need for action as climate change continues to amplify health risks worldwide.
