International experts warn that health threats caused by climate change continue to break records, insisting on a rapid transition from an economy based on fossil fuels to one with zero emissions, indicates a report released this Tuesday.
The Lancet’s Health and Climate Change Countdown 2024 report, which included the work of more than 120 academic experts and United Nations agencies, notes that the latest data shows that “reached worrying new records” 10 of 15 indicators on the health-related dangers and impacts of climate change.
The report’s authors call for “the millions of trillions of dollars spent on fossil fuel financing to be redirected and used to drive a rapid and just transition to a zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions economy,” rather than undermine the health” of people. around the world.
In 2023, “the hottest year ever recorded,” people “were exposed, on average, to another 50 days of temperatures dangerous to their health”the document says.
The report states that “heat-related mortality among people over 65 has increased by 167% compared to the 1990s,” adding that exposure to high temperatures also affects physical activity and sleep quality. : in 2023, hours of sleep will decrease by 6%, compared to the average between 1986 and 2005, with consequences for physical and mental health.
It should be noted that during the decade 2014-2023, there was an increase in days of “extreme precipitation” on 61% of the global land surface, compared to the 1961-1990 average, a situation that increases the risk of flooding and the spread of infectious diseases, while in 2023 “an extreme drought affected 48% of the land surface world – the second highest level on record.”
“The increased frequency of heat waves and droughts” caused “151 million more people to suffer moderate or severe food insecurity in 124 countries in 2022.”
Productivity is also affected and, in 2023, heat exposure caused a “record loss of 512 billion potential work hours”, equivalent to a possible loss of 835 billion dollars (771.9 billion euros ) income worldwide.
“Once again, last year records were broken due to climate change, with extreme heat waves (…), devastating wildfires affecting people around the world. No individual or economy on the planet is immune to the health threats posed by climate change. The persistent expansion of fossil fuels and record greenhouse gas emissions exacerbate these dangerous health effects and threaten to reverse the limited progress made so far and put a healthy future even further out of reach,” says Marina Romanello, executive director of Lancet Countdown at University College London. , cited in the publication of the report.
“Redirecting the trillions of dollars invested or subsidized annually in the fossil fuel industry would enable a just transition. and equitable towards clean, more efficient energy and a healthier future, which would ultimately benefit the global economy,” he adds.
According to the analysis, the average annual economic losses caused by extreme weather events increased by 23%, if the periods from 2010 to 2014 and from 2019 to 2023 are compared, totaling 227 billion dollars (209.8 billion euros), “greater than GDP.” “. product (GDP) of approximately 60% of the economies around the world.”
Still, new indicators “reveal that governments and companies continue to ‘fan the fire’ with persistent investments in fossil fuels.”
“While climate action is limited by a lack of financing, in 2023 investment in fossil fuels still attracted 36.6% of global energy investment, and many governments increased targeted subsidies for fossil fuels in response to high energy prices after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.”
Record GHG emissions and the “staggering loss” of trees reduce the “survival chances of people around the world”, experts warn.
A report published on Monday by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) indicates that the levels of the three main greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming – carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) – increased again last year.
The work published by Lancet estimates, on the other hand, that “almost 182 million hectares of forest were destroyed between 2016 and 2022, equivalent to 5% of global forest cover, reducing the world’s natural capacity to capture carbon dioxide.” ”.
The greatest losses were recorded in Russia (35.8 million hectares), the United States and Canada (almost 15 million each).
“Oil and gas companies – supported by many governments and the global financial system – continue to reinforce the world’s addiction to fossil fuels. In a world where survival depends on the gradual elimination of fossil fuels,” says Stella Hartinger, co-author of the report and director of Lancet Countdown at the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Herédia.
Anthony Costello, co-chair of the Lancet Countdown, insists on the need for “a global transformation of financial systems.”
“For a reform to be successful, people’s health must be at the center of a policy that addresses climate change, to ensure that financing mechanisms protect well-being, reduce inequalities and maximize health benefits, especially in the case of the countries and communities that need it most. “
Costello adds that the upcoming United Nations climate summit (COP29), which will take place between November 11 and 22 in Baku, Azerbaijan, is another opportunity to urge the aforementioned path.
Regarding the publication of the report, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated: “Record emissions represent record threats to our health. We must cure the disease of climate inaction – reduce emissions, protect people from extreme weather and end our addiction to fossil fuels – to create a fairer, safer and healthier future for all.”
Source: Observadora
