The eighth Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change, prepared by 122 experts, shows that diseases like malaria are now spreading to the Himalayan region, while dengue transmission has expanded across India. These shifts demand India prioritize effective climate and health policies, invest in adaptive responses, and safeguard its population from intensifying climate threats.
The report also reveals significant risks for India's coastal communities due to rising sea levels, necessitating robust flood adaptation strategies. The findings urge India to strengthen its policies and invest in proactive measures against climate impacts.
Globally, the report paints a grim picture of health risks from climate change. Ten of the fifteen tracked health indicators reached record highs in 2023, with 50 days of potentially harmful temperatures recorded worldwide.
Surge in Heat-Related Illness and Fatalities
The year 2023, marked by record-high temperatures, saw severe climate events such as droughts, deadly heatwaves, wildfires, storms, and floods. Heat-related deaths rose sharply, particularly among people over 65, showing a 167% increase compared to the 1990s.
With average exposure to 1,512 hours of moderate-risk heat, labor productivity suffered, resulting in an estimated global income loss of $835 billion, primarily impacting low- and middle-income countries. Between 2014 and 2023, extreme rainfall events affected 61% of the global land area, raising flooding and disease risks.
Rising Temperatures Fuel Mosquito-Borne Disease Spread
Higher temperatures in 2023 created favorable conditions for mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, with over 5 million cases reported globally. Climate change has increasingly supported the spread of diseases such as malaria, West Nile virus, and vibriosis to new regions.
Extreme Drought
In 2023, extreme drought affected 48% of global land, the second-highest level since 1951, impacting crops, water supply, and food security. The link between intensifying droughts and heatwaves from 1981 to 2010 contributed to moderate or severe food insecurity for an additional 151 million people across 124 countries in 2022.
Positive Developments Amid Climate Challenges
Despite these alarming trends, the Lancet report highlights some positive signs. Global deaths from air pollution declined, driven by reduced coal burning, while clean energy investments surged to $1.9 trillion in 2023. Employment in renewables reached record highs, reinforcing the sector's role in supporting job security.