Climate change linked to millions of deaths and economic losses.
Climate change causes millions of deaths, illnesses, and economic losses globally via heat, pollution, and extreme weather.
Why it matters
- Shows climate change is already causing significant health and economic impacts.
- Urges policy action to address climate-related health risks.
By the numbers
- 271,656 heat-related deaths across 43 countries (1991-2018).
- Billions in economic losses, including US$300M/year for heat-related preterm births in China.
- Fossil fuel companies like Chevron linked to 59 heat-related deaths in Switzerland.
The big picture
- Current research focuses heavily on high-income countries and temperature-related risks.
- Future studies needed to address diverse health impacts and regions.
Caveats
- Research bias towards high-income countries.
- Limited studies on infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases.
What’s next
- More research on diverse health impacts and geographic representation.
- Focus on uneven impacts within populations.