Global warming poses a serious threat to public health, with impacts ranging from heat-related deaths to increased spread of disease, says the Lancet Countdown director. But policies aimed at combating climate change while protecting public health can build resilience.
Rob Reddick reportswired.
in short:
- Extreme weather events and rising temperatures are linked to around 500,000 deaths a year, with predictions that this could increase fivefold by 2050.
- The Lancet Countdown, a global research collaboration, provides evidence of current and future health risks from climate change and urges immediate policy change.
- The organization points to multiple benefits of combating climate change. The aim is to improve health and quality of life through greening cities and improving dietary habits, while reducing environmental pollution.
Main quotation:
“When we talk about climate change, we are not talking about the future. The price of inaction will be paid with lives.”
— Marina Romanello, Executive Director of The Lancet Countdown.
Why this is important:
There is growing interest and urgency in understanding and addressing the health impacts and equity aspects of climate change. How one community in Massachusetts is pursuing global climate justice concerns at the local level, connecting the dots between extreme weather events, pollution, and access to health care and clean energy to build local resilience. please read.
