“The climate crisis is killing us“. UN Secretary-General António Guterres could have said it louder, but not more clearly. Global warming causes serious effects on human health: exacerbates the transmission of numerous infectious diseases and increases respiratory and cardiovascular ailments, as well as mental problems and food insecurity. More and more being recorded heat related deaths. And in Spain, more than in any other country in Europe.
The alert was initiated by one hundred international researchers who produced this year’s ‘Lancet Countdown’ report on health and climate change.
The drift of the planet is alarming: each year there are more fires, more droughts, more extreme weather events, and the spread of infectious diseases is increasing exponentially.
An example: The probability of contracting dengue fever has increased by 12% since the middle of the last century. And the incidence of this disease has increased eightfold over the past two decades. The report highlights that cases of dengue fever have been reported in Spain and France over the past five years.
Environmental risk of epidemics West Nile virus increased by 149% in Southern Europe over the period 1986-2020. 163% in the rest of the continent compared to 1951-1985.
The authors are clear:The world is at a critical moment“And they’re clear about responsibility: Persistent dependence on fossil fuels exacerbates the health effects of the concurrent crises we face.”
“People around the world are increasingly feeling the impact of climate change on their health and well-being. However, governments and companies continue to prioritize fossil fuel interests“, condemn the researchers.
Multi-million dollar losses
The data collected in the report is frightening. this extreme droughts Between 2012 and 2021, 29% of the earth’s surface was affected, more than between 1951 and 1960. Fire danger very high or extremely high, up 61% from twenty years ago.
More: extreme heat waves The recorded 2020 caused food insecurity in 98 million more people than the 1981-2000 average. And people in vulnerable age groups (young and over 65) suffered 3.7 billion more days of heatwaves in 2021 than between 1986 and 2005.
All of this also has a huge economic impact: exposure to heat led to a potential loss of 470 billion working hours worldwide in 2021 with a corresponding loss of 670 billion euros in revenue. The Balearic Islands in Greece, Cyprus and the Southern Aegean are the places on the continent where heat causes the greatest loss of working hours.
Meanwhile, the delay in clean energy adoption (contributing only 2.2% of the world’s total energy supply) leaves dependent households vulnerable to rising “dirty energy” prices and the associated health damage.energy poverty“, well many homes breathe “hazardous levels of air pollution” It collects the document titled “It is obtained from the combustion of the fuel in it”.
States are not meeting their commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “The carbon intensity of the global energy system has decreased by less than 1% since 1992. With the increase in energy consumption, energy-related CO2 emissions hit record high in 2021‘ he points out.
Governments continue to subsidize oil
“Governments around the world continue to subsidize fossil fuels hundreds of billions of dollars a year. In most cases, for amounts comparable to or even higher than healthcare budgets,” the authors criticize.
But in addition, the highest-income countries have so far not delivered the $100,000 million they have committed to support a just transition. “A deep underfunding undermines action towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient future“, cry researchers.
The report directlyfossil fuel giants“They are running plans that will lead to emissions that will greatly exceed the targets of the Paris Agreement.
If these large multinationals achieve their goals, they will “lock the world to a deadly warmer future.” devastating health effects“. And there seems to be no payback, because “the fact is that they won’t be investing in a healthy future as they make record profits.”
The signatories acknowledge that this is not the way to go and that a Response to “health-focused” crises it can still provide a “healthier future”. But for this they need “urgent” and “difficult” actions.
“Get away from fossil fuels They state that “it could prevent 1.2 million deaths from exposure to PM 2.5 environmental particles.” transition to renewable energy sources “By delivering clean and healthy energy to homes, it can help create more resilient energy networks and reduce energy poverty,” they add.
” green urban redesign can increase climate resilience while improving physical and mental health with healthier and more livable cities” and ” low-carb, plant-rich diets It will help prevent low intake of fruit and vegetables and high intake of red meat and dairy products”.
“Looks of Hope”
Despite the bleak picture, the report’s authors said “some rising sparks of hopeSo they emphasize Although total clean energy generation remains “inadequate”, it reached record levels in 2020and that Zero carbon sources accounted for more than 80% of investment in electricity generation in 2021.
” public participation All-time high with climate change-related health problems. Media coverage of health and climate change is increasing every year. Is there a More commitment from world leadersIn the 2021 UN general debate, 60% of countries draw attention to climate change and health,” they add.
“But this heightened awareness is urgently action for hope to come true,” say the researchers.
“After 30 years of negotiations, Countries and companies continue to make decisions that threaten the health and survival of people around the world.. At this critical juncture, an emergency health-focused response can still secure a future in which the world’s population can not only survive but thrive.”
Similar Spainthe report shows that European country with the highest number of heat-related deaths: 30.6 per million inhabitants, twice the continental average in ten years. And these deaths could double in Europe in the next 34 years.
He underlines that Spain is also important. One of the countries where forest fires cause the most “destruction” all over the world.Along with Canada, the United States, Greece, Algeria, Italy and Turkey.
Reference report: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(22)01540-9/fulltext
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