Increase in Human Deaths Linked to Climate Change

Sustainability practices not only help save the environment, they also help save human lives. Two studies published last week in international peer-reviewed medical journal The Lancet noted a concerning rise in the number of climate-related deaths.

Researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle examined 64.9 million death records from nine different countries and determined that at least 1.69 million of those deaths could be attributed to extreme temperatures in 2019 alone. About 356,000 were linked to extreme heat and 1.3 million were related to extreme cold temperatures. The scientists say these numbers will continue to grow as the world experiences more extreme temperatures caused by human-caused climate change generated by carbon, methane, and other greenhouse gas emissions.

The researchers found the number of deaths caused by high temperatures increased by 74% globally between 1980 and 2016. Deaths related to extreme cold increased 31% since 1990. 

“The papers we publish today provide a strong scientific argument that the health dimensions of heat can no longer be overlooked,” stated an editorial in The Lancet accompanying the studies.

Although heat-related deaths and illnesses are preventable, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 600 people in the U.S. are killed by extreme heat every year. CNN reported that hundreds of deaths this year were linked to an historic heat wave in the West. Most of the deaths were related to heart trouble and breathing issues. The elderly, people with chronic health problems, and children are at the highest risk for heat-related illnesses.

“What is most problematic about heat is that this is a sneaky climate issue because it kills many people, but it is not impressive like a hurricane or something,” said environmental epidemiologist Tarik Benmarhnia of the University of California, San Diego. “It’s just happening all the time.”

Pairing these latest studies with the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report shows businesses and other organizations need to act quickly to lower greenhouse gas emissions.