Report predicts millions of deaths due to climate change
Published: Tuesday, Jan 16th 2024, 07:10
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According to a report, climate change threatens to cause several million deaths in the coming decades, as well as serious illnesses and high costs for healthcare systems. The greatest risk is posed by flooding. This is the conclusion of the report "Consequences of climate change for global health" presented on Tuesday in Davos GR by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the consulting firm Oliver Wyman.
The authors of the study look at six key consequences of climate change: Floods, droughts, heatwaves, tropical storms, forest fires and rising sea levels. The study is based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) medium scenario for temperature rise by 2100, which assumes, among other things, an increase in average temperature of 2.7 degrees Celsius.
According to the study, climate change could cause up to 14.5 million deaths worldwide by 2050. Healthcare systems would have to bear additional costs amounting to 1.1 trillion US dollars.
8.5 million dead
According to estimates, flooding alone could cause 8.5 million deaths by 2050 - not only directly, but also indirectly through crop damage, increased infectious diseases and higher humidity, which can lead to respiratory diseases. The Asia-Pacific region, with its heavily populated coastal regions, would be particularly affected.
The authors expect the second-highest mortality rate of 3.2 million deaths to be caused by droughts - primarily due to the long-term effects of declining water quality and less fertile soils on child mortality, for example. According to the study, heatwaves could cost around 1.6 million lives by 2050, especially among older people.
Deteriorating health
According to the report, there would also be an increase in illnesses and cases of occupational disability. In warmer temperatures, for example, mosquitoes could spread significantly, making malaria, dengue fever and Zika infections more common in Europe and the USA.
Overall, however, according to the study, regions in Africa, the Middle East and Asia would be particularly affected by the health consequences of climate change. However, unlike the coronavirus pandemic, governments and the global healthcare industry can prepare for this development, the authors of the study emphasize.
The results of the report will also be discussed at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday.
©Keystone/SDA
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