“Urgent Warning: The Dire Health Impacts of Climate Change Revealed in Latest Lancet Countdown Report”
The 2024 Lancet Countdown on health and climate change report, released by the University College London, has issued a dire warning about the imminent health threats of climate inaction. Dr. Marina Romanello, the Executive Director of the Lancet Countdown, emphasized that last year saw record-breaking climate change events, including extreme heat waves, deadly weather events, and devastating wildfires that affected people worldwide. The report reveals that no individual or economy is immune from the health risks posed by climate change.
In 2023, people experienced an unprecedented 50 more days of health-threatening temperatures due to climate change. Additionally, extreme drought affected 48% of the global land area, leading to a higher frequency of heatwaves and droughts that resulted in 151 million more people experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity. The report also highlights the detrimental impact of governments and companies continuing to invest in fossil fuels, leading to all-time high energy-related greenhouse gas emissions.
Despite the availability of financial resources to achieve net zero emissions and secure a healthy future, governments and companies are still spending trillions of dollars on fossil fuel subsidies and investments. This money could be redirected towards clean renewable energy and activities that benefit people’s health, livelihoods, and wellbeing.
The report emphasizes the need to prioritize health in the global response to climate change, especially at the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29) in Azerbaijan. Three members of the Yale Center on Climate Change and Health served as authors for this year’s Lancet report, contributing to the evidence needed to inform climate change negotiations.
Dr. Jodi Sherman, Dr. Lingzhi Chu, and Dr. Robert Dubrow from the Yale Center on Climate Change and Health were responsible for various indicators in the report, highlighting the impact of greenhouse gas emissions from the health care sector and the inequities in access to air conditioning. The report calls for urgent action to reduce emissions, protect people from climate extremes, and end the reliance on fossil fuels to create a fairer, safer, and healthier future for all.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the need to address record-high emissions to protect global health. The Lancet Countdown report, compiled by 122 experts from 57 academic institutions and UN agencies, provides crucial insights into the urgent need for climate action. For more information and to access the full report, visit lancetcountdown.org.