Lancet Report Links Climate Change to Health Threats

The Lancet Countdown's 2024 report reveals that 2023 was the hottest year on record, resulting in an average increase of 50 days of dangerously high temperatures for individuals, significantly impacting public health. Heat-related deaths among those over 65 surged by 167% compared to the 1990s, while exposure to extreme weather led to a loss of 512 billion potential work hours globally. The report highlights that 48% of the world's land faced severe drought, exacerbating food insecurity for an additional 151 million people. Additionally, the frequency of extreme precipitation has increased, raising risks of flooding and disease transmission. Experts emphasize the urgent need to shift investments from fossil fuels to a zero-emissions economy to mitigate these health threats. Overall, the report underscores the escalating health risks linked to climate change and the inadequacy of current responses.