A new report released by health experts warns of the dangerous effects of climate change on human health, including increased temperatures, heatwaves, droughts, and food insecurity. The report, based on work by 122 experts, including the World Health Organization, reveals that the average person experienced 50 more days of dangerous temperatures in 2023, the hottest year on record. The elderly are particularly vulnerable, with heat-related deaths increasing substantially.
The report also highlights the economic costs of climate change, with extreme heat in 2023 costing the world an estimated 512 billion potential labour hours. The authors also point out that oil and gas companies, as well as some governments and banks, are exacerbating the issue by increasing fossil fuel production.
Despite these challenges, there have been some positive developments, such as a decrease in deaths from fossil fuel-related air pollution and an increase in the use of clean renewables to generate electricity. The upcoming United Nations climate summit, COP29, is urged to direct funds towards public health to address the health threats posed by climate change.
The authors of the report stress that no individual or economy is immune from the health risks of climate change. They call for urgent action to address the growing impact of climate change on human health and to mitigate the worsening effects on vulnerable populations worldwide.
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