14.11.19
‘Extensive’ health damage from climate change for world’s children
The Lancet has released a comprehensive yearly analysis called Countdown on Health and Climate Change, tracking progress across 41 key indicators in collaboration with 120 experts from 35 institutions including the World Health Organisation (WHO), World Bank and University College London.
The publication reports on extensive health damage from climate change and lifelong consequences of rising temperatures for a child born today if the world continues in the way it is.
Malnutrition and rising food prices are some of the greatest threats the world’s infants will be vulnerable to as temperatures rise.
2018 was the second most climatically suitable year on record for the spread of bacteria that cause much of diarrhoeal disease that burden children.
The impact of air pollution will get worse as the issue has already contributed to over 20,500 premature deaths in the UK in 2016.
Risk of extreme weather will intensify as children mature into adults, with a record 220 million more over 65s exposed to heatwaves in 2018 compared to 2000.
Authors of the report are calling for climate change to be a priority of the UN Climate Change agenda next month and ‘rapid and urgent’ action to be taken to tackle the health impact this will have.
Suggested areas of focus include a complete phase-out of coal-fired power worldwide, pressure on high-income countries to climate finance commitment, better public and active transport systems such as walk and cycle lanes and a major investment into health system adaptations to prevent overwhelming emergency and health services.
Professor Hugh Montgomery, co-chair of The Lancet Countdown and director of the Institute for Human Health and Performance at University College London said “This year, the accelerating impacts of climate change have become clearer than ever.
“The highest recorded temperatures in Western Europe and wildfires in Siberia, Queensland, and California triggered asthma, respiratory infections and heat stroke. Sea levels are now rising at an ever-concerning rate. Our children recognize this Climate Emergency and demand action to protect them. We must listen, and respond."
Crop failures, heart and lung damage from air quality and exposure to infectious disease outbreaks are just some of the consequences of a ‘business-as-usual pathway.