Climate change can steal up to six months of our life, especially affecting women and the inhabitants of developing countries.
This is indicated by a study published in the journal Plos Climate by Amit Roy, professor of economics and public policies at the New School For Social Research in New York.
The increase in temperatures and anomalous precipitation that accompany climate change can affect public health in different ways: both directly, for example by causing heat waves and floods, and indirectly, by increasing the risk of diseases such as respiratory diseases and mental.
Similar consequences are easily observable and documentable, while there is a lack of studies that clearly demonstrate the existence of a direct link between climate change and life expectancy.
To fill this gap, Amit Roy examined the data collected in 191 countries around the world between 1940 and 2020: in particular he evaluated average temperatures, rainfall and life expectancy, then using the value of the domestic product gross per capita to take into account differences from country to country.
In addition to evaluating the impact of temperatures and precipitation, the scholar also developed a composite index that combines the two variables to describe the severity of climate change.
The findings indicate that a one-degree increase in global temperature is associated with a reduction in life expectancy of five months and one week.
A ten-point increase in the composite index describing climate change (taking into account both temperatures and precipitation) is associated with a six-month reduction in life expectancy.
Those most affected are women and the inhabitants of developing countries.
“The global threat posed by climate change to the well-being of billions of people highlights the urgent need to address it as a public health crisis – comments Roy – underlining that mitigation efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and proactive measures are essential to safeguard life expectancy and protect the health of populations around the world."
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