A record 512 billion work hours were lost globally in 2023 due to heat exposure risks, according to a new report from the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change. The report notes that agricultural workers in low-income countries bore the brunt of these losses, costing some nations around 8% of their GDP.
This ninth annual report highlights essential climate and health indicators, including heat-related mortality, air pollution exposure, and national adaptation measures. Although deaths from fossil fuel-derived air pollution dropped by 7% between 2016 and 2021—mainly due to coal phase-outs in wealthier countries—many low-income nations still rely heavily on biomass and other polluting fuels. This reliance disproportionately affects women and children, who are often responsible for sourcing and burning these fuels, according to lead author Dr Marina Romanello.
The authors criticize governments and fossil fuel companies for investing in oil and gas projects that risk surpassing global warming thresholds. The report reveals that fossil fuel subsidies exceeded health spending in over 20 countries in 2022, raising concern about priorities that, Romanello warns, jeopardize the health and survival of people worldwide. Read More
News Credit: Carbon Brief
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