Climate change: Millions of deaths caused by fossil fuels threaten health!

Climate change: Millions of deaths caused by fossil fuels threaten health!

The global effects of climate change are obvious and threaten not only the environment but also human health. Decades of dependence on fossil fuels and slow adaptation to climate change have now claimed millions of lives, according to a recent report published in The Lancet. The study highlights that an average of 546,000 heat-related deaths per year were recorded between 2012 and 2021, a 23 percent increase since the 1990s. These are alarming figures that highlight the urgency of immediate action, reports Dolomite town.

However, the downsides of fossil fuels are not just limited to heat-related illnesses. Around 2.5 million people die every year due to air pollution caused by fossil fuels. Meanwhile, more than 15 countries are investing more in fossil fuel subsidies than in their national health budgets, calling into question governments' priorities. The report speaks of an “unprecedented threat to health and life worldwide”, and particularly affected are vulnerable populations who are suffering from the economic and health consequences.

Economic impacts of climate change

The economic consequences of climate change are equally alarming. In 2024, approximately 639 billion working hours will be lost due to extreme heat worldwide, representing an estimated loss of income of $1.09 trillion. These economic losses are directly related to the health effects of climate change and show that there is a need for action not only in terms of health but also financially. Marina Romanello, the study leader, emphasizes that a switch to clean energy has already prevented around 160,000 premature deaths since 2010.

Communities around the world are already experiencing the impacts of climate extremes such as droughts, floods and more frequent wildfires. Sonia Seneviratne from ETH Zurich warns of the instabilities of the water cycle. The fact is that rising temperatures accelerate evaporation and reduce CO2 absorption by plants. This not only impacts the environment, but also human health, particularly through the increasing health risks posed by wildfires and air pollution. Mary Berlik Rice of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health calls for a rapid transition away from fossil fuels to combat these health crises.

Suggestions to combat the crisis

To counteract this threatening development, experts recommend an early ban on gasoline cars and oil heaters and a switch to renewable energies. Dr. Rice highlights that pollutants can cause respiratory illnesses and other serious health problems and describes the need to invest in communities most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. In addition, initiatives to combat plastic pollution support the focus on sustainable solutions that also arise from the use of fossil fuels.

Finally, a joint plea by the co-authors of the study shows that significant measures are necessary to realize a health-protecting, just and fair transformation. To achieve this, both governments and society should work together to transition to clean energy, creating not only an environmental but also a social transition. Climate change requires immediate action to protect the health and lives of millions of people, according to the experts' common message. Further information about the current status of climate research and its impacts can be found on the ETH Zurich website: ETH Zurich.