Status: 16.01.2024, 11:33 a.m.
By: Karolin Schäfer
CommentsPrint Share
Climate change will pose a significant threat to the health of millions of people in the coming decades. This is the result of a recent study.
Davos – Extreme weather events, water shortages, crop failures and rising sea levels are some of the global consequences of climate change. According to a recent forecast by the World Economic Forum in Davos and the consulting firm Oliver Wyman, global warming could have devastating consequences for the health of millions of people.
The consequences of climate change: floods are the deadliest risk
Health effects were considered on the basis of six phenomena: floods, droughts, heat waves, tropical storms, forest fires and sea level rise. Among other things, an increase in the average temperature of 2.7 degrees Celsius is assumed. The result is frightening: by 2050, climate change could cause up to 14.5 million deaths, according to the report.
Floods in particular, such as those once in the Ahr Valley, would pose the highest risk of climate-related mortality, with 8.5 million deaths. Droughts are the second most common cause, with an estimated 3.2 million deaths. 2023 was already the hottest year on record.
Climate Change Harms Health: Danger of Spreading Diseases
There is also particular pressure on the health systems, which are already overburdened in many places. By 2050, additional costs of 1.1 trillion US dollars are expected. At the same time, rising global temperatures were predicted to lead to an increase in mosquito populations. This, in turn, leads to the spread of diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and the Zika virus. Climate zones that have so far been less affected, such as Europe and the USA, could also be affected in the future.
The consequences of the climate crisis can be seen at the Mumcular dam in Turkey. The once stately reservoir lies shrunk in the middle of dried up and torn earth in the east of the holiday resort of Bodrum. © Mirjam Schmitt/dpa
Certain populations are particularly hard hit by the deadly effects of climate change, including women, children, the elderly and low-income people, and hard-to-reach communities. Regions in Africa and South Asia are vulnerable.
My news
Student revolt against statue of Greta Thunberg: University reaction is followed by sheer mockery
German climate group hunts down car tyres – and causes a stir in Austria
According to Eurojackpot statistics, these are the most common winning numbers.
Two-storey giant construction: Croatia plans mega bridge on popular holiday islandRead more
Before flight on holiday island: Pilot makes disturbing announcement to passengersRead
Miracle in plane crash in Thailand – locals save the life of a German holidaymakerRead
"The price is human lives": Climate change could cause millions of deaths by 2025
In contrast to the Corona pandemic, governments and interest groups could still prepare for this development, the study authors emphasized. The report's findings are due to be discussed at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday (18 January). The summit kicked off with a conference on the Ukraine war
Researchers at University College London in the UK came to a similar conclusion in November. According to the study, the number of heat-related deaths will increase by 2025 percent by 370, according to Research & Teaching, a journal on higher education policy and science. "Doing nothing will cost us dearly, the price is human lives," study leader Marina Romanello was quoted as saying at the time.
Meanwhile, researchers also assume that the main source of the Rhine will dry up in 30 years. In the U.S., climate change continues to divide voters and parties. (kas/dpa)