International report says heat-related deaths rise 36 percent worldwide
<p>London: Experts and researchers have called for climate change to be recognized as a global health emergency, warning of accelerating health impacts, including a 36 percent rise in heat-related deaths worldwide.</p> <p>The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change report, released Wednesday, found that climate-related health impacts accelerated in the decade following the 2015 Paris…
A recent report reveals a significant increase in heat-related deaths worldwide, with an alarming 36 percent rise over the past decade. The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change, released Wednesday, highlights the accelerating health impacts linked to climate change, despite international efforts failing to keep up with the escalating crisis. Annual average heat-related fatalities climbed from 398,400 in the 2006-2015 period to 540,800 between 2016-2023.
Experts from 146 institutions across more than 30 nations collaborated on the report, led by University College London in partnership with the World Health Organization. The researchers monitored 54 indicators, ranging from heat and air pollution to infectious diseases, energy use, adaptation measures, health research funding, and the effects of extreme weather events.
The report underscores the devastating impact of severe drought, which affected 51.8 percent of global land areas for at least a month in 2025, marking the second-highest level on record. While global clean energy investment surged to a record USD 2.1 trillion in 2025, nearly twice the amount invested in fossil fuels, the transition remains insufficient.
Fossil fuels continue to dominate global energy consumption, accounting for more than 80 percent of energy needs, thus perpetuating climate change and associated health and environmental risks.
On a positive note, declining pollution resulting from reduced fossil fuel usage helped avert an estimated 323,000 deaths annually in at least 77 countries where air quality improved since 2016. The report calls for urgent action from governments to prioritize public health within climate policies, emphasizing the need to accelerate emissions cuts, boost clean energy investments, and fund initiatives aimed at mitigating climate-related health risks.
Written by urgent.news from The Peninsula Qatar's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
