The UK is facing a surge in health risks due to extreme heat linked to climate change, with experts warning that the country’s public health is at greater risk than ever before.
A recent Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change report reveals that extreme heat exposure in the UK is rising sharply, contributing to an average of nine additional heat-related deaths per 100,000 people between 2013 and 2022.
Globally, 2023 has seen a record-breaking increase in health-threatening temperatures, with people worldwide experiencing an additional 50 days of extreme heat on average.
Drought affected 48% of global land this year, while 61% of the planet witnessed an increase in intense rainstorms, leading to higher risks of flooding, disease outbreaks, and water contamination.
Dr Marina Romanello, executive director of the Lancet Countdown at University College London, warns that health risks linked to climate change are at their highest point since the report’s inception.
She noted that fossil fuel expansion and greenhouse gas emissions are worsening the crisis, putting a healthy future even further out of reach.
The report finds that 10 out of 15 key indicators tracking health risks from climate change have now hit record levels.
It urges governments and corporations to cut fossil fuel investment and pivot to clean energy solutions, arguing that redirecting funds toward renewable resources could reduce climate-related health impacts globally.
Extreme weather patterns, including increased heatwaves and drought, are linked to significant food insecurity worldwide, with 151 million more people experiencing hunger each year compared to past decades.
Additionally, an increase in mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue fever, has been observed as temperatures rise.
Finally, the report emphasizes that unhealthy, unsustainable diets contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
By shifting to more balanced diets, societies could lower death rates, improve health, and reduce the environmental impact of food production, creating a healthier, more sustainable future.
