Climate Facts: Exposure to excessive heat causes premature death, disability

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The complexities of climate change and its associated jargon can make it difficult to digest. TheCable’s climate quick facts will help to demystify these concepts through easy-to-understand and straight-to-the-point explanations.

Here are some to keep at the tip of your fingers:

  • The World Health Organisation (WHO) says exposure to excessive heat has wide-ranging physiological impacts on all humans, often amplifying existing conditions and resulting in premature death and disability.
  • According to WHO, the number of people exposed to heat waves increased by around 125 million between 2000 and 2016.
  • In 2015, 175 million additional people were exposed to heat waves compared to average years.
  • The United Nations says carbon dioxide levels were 148 percent of pre-industrial levels in 2019.
  • Improving health systems could help prevent 250,000 climate-related deaths per year from 2030 to 2050, says the UN.

This story is published in partnership with Report for the World, a global service program that supports local public interest journalism.

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