Report says heat-related deaths to rise by mid-century
Scientists are warning of a steep increase in heat-related deaths. Research published in the lancet medical journal projects a five-fold increase within decades if temperatures keep rising at their current rate. The report is co-authored by more than 100 scientists who say inaction on climate change is already costing lives.
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TVTranscript
00:00 It may look like a nice place to live, but this area is known as an urban heat island.
00:07 In 2019 December we had 49 plus degrees Celsius just outside my home.
00:14 It was terrible to stand even outside, you were burning.
00:17 Like so many new suburbs, there's few trees, dark roofs and hot roads that trap heat.
00:23 The 75-year-old says it impacts his mental and physical health.
00:28 I started feeling suffocated, I started having breathing difficulties,
00:33 I started thinking what the hell is going on.
00:35 He's worried his kids and grandchildren will only be worse off.
00:39 If I am going through this, what will happen tomorrow?
00:42 More than 100 scientists, including leading experts from the World Health Organisation,
00:47 say billions of lives are at risk from climate change.
00:51 They found heat-related deaths in people aged over 65 have already increased by 85% in the past three decades.
00:59 Climate inaction is costing lives now and it's affecting livelihoods now
01:04 and those effects are going to be amplified as we move into the future.
01:08 The report warns heat-related deaths could increase five-fold by the middle of the century
01:13 if temperatures keep rising on the current trajectory.
01:16 We know that heat is a silent killer, it's not a dramatically visual event,
01:21 it's something that will hit the most vulnerable when they're isolated inside their homes, often alone.
01:26 We're expecting that it's going to be a hot summer, we know that people are going to struggle.
01:31 The report says there's still room for hope and a prosperous, healthy future lies within reach,
01:37 but that involves rapidly phasing out fossil fuels.
01:40 It's a mighty task and scientists warn the window to do so is closing.
01:45 closing.
01:45 [BLANK_AUDIO]