A report from The Lancet highlights significant health impacts of climate change in India, showing record levels of heat exposure, food insecurity, and economic losses in labor capacity. The findings suggest that urgent actions are necessary to mitigate these effects and invest in climate resilience, particularly for the most vulnerable populations.
A recent report released on October 30 by The Lancet has revealed alarming health impacts in India and globally due to climate change over the past decade. According to the report titled “Countdown on Health and Climate Change,” India has been notably affected, with ten out of fifteen health indicators setting new records. The report emphasizes that the climate crisis is intricately linked to a health crisis, exacerbating the frequency and severity of climate-related disasters across all regions. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), stated, “The climate crisis is a health crisis. As the planet heats up, the frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters increase, leaving no region untouched.” Furthermore, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres remarked that unprecedented emissions are translating into unprecedented health threats, urging immediate action to combat climate inaction by reducing emissions and ceasing reliance on fossil fuels. The findings reveal that in 2023, individuals were subjected to an average of fifty additional days of harmful temperatures due to climate change. Last year, nearly half of the global land area faced extreme drought, marking the second-highest rate ever recorded. This rise in climate-related stressors has resulted in 151 million more people experiencing moderate to severe food insecurity compared to historical data from 1981 to 2010. Moreover, the report underscores the need to redirect investment from fossil fuels—where 36.6% of global energy investments were made in 2023—towards safeguarding public health and livelihoods. India, in particular, has shown an acute vulnerability to rising heat levels, with citizens experiencing record-breaking heatwaves. The report indicates that in 2023, individuals were exposed to over 2,400 hours of potentially dangerous heat, representing substantial levels of risk for outdoor activities. Notably, infants and the elderly have suffered disproportionately from these climatic changes, with data indicating that those demographics experienced a marked increase in heatwave exposure. Economic repercussions are equally stark, with an estimated loss of 181 billion labor hours and potential income losses of USD 141 billion attributed to heat exposure in 2023. Coastal regions of India, encompassing over 7,500 kilometers of coastline, face grave risks from rising sea levels, significantly impacting populations in states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Approximately 18.1 million residents live in areas below one meter of sea level, many of whom are compelled to migrate as a result of climate impacts. Moreover, climate change is altering the dynamics of infectious diseases, as evidenced by the spread of malaria into the Himalayan region and a significant 85% increase in the transmission potential of dengue over decades. These changes call for urgent, strategic investments in climate resilience to mitigate the detrimental effects of climate change on public health and economic stability in India.
This report addresses the growing health challenges posed by climate change, which encompasses extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and the spread of infectious diseases. The Lancet emphasizes a comprehensive analysis of health indicators affected by climate variables, reflecting not only on the immediate physical health impacts but also on broader socio-economic consequences that stem from environmental degradation. With India being one of the most vulnerable countries, these findings highlight the urgency for a concerted global and national response to climate action.
In conclusion, the Lancet report elucidates the severe impact of climate change on health in India, with unprecedented heatwaves and rising sea levels heightening risks to vulnerable populations. The economic implications are profound, indicating significant labor losses correlated with climate stress. Immediate action is essential to reallocate investments towards climate resilience and public health initiatives, ensuring that India can effectively address these escalating challenges to health and socio-economic stability.
Original Source: www.downtoearth.org.in
