Climate change linked to three million deaths globally

A new Lancet Countdown report indicates that between 2016 and 2023, approximately three million deaths can be attributed to planetary warming. The study quantifies heat-related deaths directly caused by anthropogenic climate change, estimating that over half a million deaths occurred annually during this period, with 68% of those linked to climate change.

Developing nations have faced a disproportionate impact from extreme heat, reflecting the unequal consequences of climate change on populations least responsible for it. While progress has been noted in renewable energy adoption, the report describes global climate action as “utterly insufficient.”

The findings arrive ahead of the COP 31 climate conference in Antalya, Turkey. Researchers note that while some progress could potentially reduce temperature rise projections from 3.5 degrees Celsius to 2.6 degrees Celsius by 2100, urgent action is required to mitigate the growing health risks.