Heat is a neglected and poorly understood public health threat. Heat worsens underlying conditions, like high blood pressure and asthma, and can be especially hard on people with lung problems. Left unchecked*, by the end of the century, climate change-driven heatwaves could become a leading cause of death.
Causes of death, per 100,000 people
Change in average temperature
Not everyone is impacted equally
By the end of the century, climate change’s impact on death rates will vary significantly between countries.
By the end of the century, climate change’s impact on death rates will vary significantly between countries.
As the intensity and frequency of heatwaves increase, more people will die in countries home to most of the world’s population. The decline in death rates in colder countries, where warming leads to net health gains, is eclipsed by the spike in death rates in warmer countries.
As the intensity and frequency of heatwaves increase, more people will die in countries home to most of the world’s population. The decline in death rates in colder countries, where warming leads to net health gains, is eclipsed by the spike in death rates in warmer countries.
As the world grows both richer and hotter, a growing share of the population is likely to have the resources, like air conditioning, to reduce the health threat. But income growth alone will not be enough to protect the most vulnerable populations.
As the world grows both richer and hotter, a growing share of the population is likely to have the resources, like air conditioning, to reduce the health threat. But income growth alone will not be enough to protect the most vulnerable populations.
And adaptation comes at a cost. Roughly 4% of the global economic output in 2100 will need to be spent to prevent even more deaths.
And adaptation comes at a cost. Roughly 4% of the global economic output in 2100 will need to be spent to prevent even more deaths.
But this outcome isn’t predetermined — reducing emissions today will protect public health in the future.
Each additional ton of carbon released into the atmosphere impacts global temperatures and has a measurable cost to society. This means every ton of carbon pollution we can avoid now will save lives in the years to come.
See how reducing emissions in your community improves public health globally.