Science
2050 Climate Crisis Death Toll Could Be Catastrophic, Researchers Warn
It is getting more difficult to overlook the effects of climate change.
The climate catastrophe is becoming a pressing issue, as seen by record-breaking heatwaves, increasing sea levels, and intensifying wildfires.
Pakistan’s temperatures reached a scorching 118°F (47°C) this week, and in certain areas, they are predicted to approach the record-breaking April high of 122°F (50°C).
The Middle East and South Asia, particularly Saudi Arabia, India, and Iran, are also experiencing an increase in this intense heat.
The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has responded by releasing terrifying new projections of how deadly things could get if we don’t take immediate action.
By 2050, the scientists estimate that 11,000 Britons could perish annually due to excessive heat.
“We have seen in the last couple of years that the country is not prepared for the impacts of climate change,” said Baroness Brown, chair of the CCC’s adaptation committee. “We know there is worse to come, and we are not ready – indeed in many areas we are not even planning to be ready.”
Without immediate action, the effects of climate change might reduce the UK’s economic output by 7% by 2050. While severe heat and drought are contributing to an increase in wildfires, the CCC warns that rising sea levels will exacerbate coastal floods. Additionally, according to the Environment & Health Modelling Lab (EHM) at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), the death toll from climate change is similarly concerning throughout Europe.
According to a modeling study published in Nature Medicine, by 2099, climate warming may directly cause about 2.3 million more deaths from temperature-related causes in 854 European towns.
Heatwaves are predicted to strike particularly hard in regions like the Mediterranean, Central Europe, and the Balkans. However, scientists suggest that despite significant efforts to adapt to warmer temperatures, the increasing risk will not be sufficiently mitigated. The study found that cutting emissions quickly and rigorously controlling global temperatures are the only effective ways to minimize mortality from excessive heat.
“Our results stress the urgent need to aggressively pursue both climate change mitigation and adaptation to increased heat,” said Dr. Pierre Masselot, lead author at the EHM-Lab at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). “This is especially critical in the Mediterranean area where, if nothing is done, consequences could be dire. But, by following a more sustainable pathway, we could avoid millions of deaths before the end of the century.”
To portray a grim picture of what lies ahead if nothing changes, the study also listed the 10 European towns that are predicted to see the highest temperature-related death tolls by the end of the century.
Now Trending:
- Scientists Anticipate That Global Warming Will Escalate To An Unprecedented 7°C By 2200, Resulting In Catastrophic Heatwaves, Famine, And Floods
- A Natural Treatment For Mental Health And Bone Pain
- 11 Science-Backed Health Benefits of Black Pepper
Please SHARE this article with Family and Friends and let us know in the comments!
