New Delhi: With the passing years, the severity of global warming is increasing. According to a study published in The Lancet, extreme heat, which is now a common phenomenon, caused over 356,000 deaths in 2019 and the number is likely to rise.
“This is very worrying, especially given the continued increase in the risk of exposure to high temperatures over the decades,” said Katrin Burkert of the University of Washington, co-author of the Global Burden of Disease Modeling study.
Citing similar findings, a two-paper series on ‘Heat and Health’ published in The Lancet emphasizes the need for globally coordinated “urgent and urgent” efforts to mitigate the challenges of climate change. Why is it?
The authors suggest that these efforts will increase resilience to extreme heat to limit excess warming, avoid sustainable and substantial extreme heat worldwide, and save lives.
When ambient temperatures are warm, people may suffer from associated heat stress, leading to increased mortality and morbidity, and are also more likely to have adverse pregnancy outcomes and mental health issues, note the papers. Huh.
Excessive heat also reduces physical work capacity, and leads to occupational health problems. But if appropriate heat action plans are implemented, people make changes to their behavior or lifestyle, increasing deaths and adverse health effects can be avoided, the authors in the series say.
According to the papers, about 50 percent of the world’s population is affected by high heat events, and about 33 million workers who are exposed to extreme heat suffer from adverse health effects. People living in tropical regions are most vulnerable to climate change and extreme heat as their bodies will quickly reach heat tolerance limits in the coming decades.
The temperature in urban areas has increased to a great extent due to anthropogenic or human activities such as vehicular transport and everyday activities. The authors said more research work and risk mitigation activities should be conducted to reduce heat-related mortality and morbidity.
What are the health risks associated with extreme heat?
According to a Global Burden of Disease modeling study published in The Lancet, more heatwave deaths could occur in the future as global temperatures continue to rise at a faster rate annually.
Heat stroke occurs in a person when exposed to extreme heat stress, as a result of which the body is unable to regulate the internal temperature. Since heat stress causes physical stress, cardiorespiratory complications can occur. Older age groups and isolated people who cannot take proper care of themselves are more vulnerable to these adverse effects.
“Extremely hot days or heat waves that used to be experienced roughly every 20 years are now being observed more frequently and may even occur every year through the end of this century if current greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated. These rising The temperatures, combined with a larger and older population, mean that even more people will be at risk of heat-related health effects,” said Professor Christy Abbey of the University of Washington, US, co-lead author of the two-paper series. .
If greenhouse gas emissions cannot be reduced and an action plan is not developed, the future will be very different, she said.
“Day-to-day summer activities – such as exercising and working out – can change dramatically as rising heat means people are at greater risk of exposure to unbearable heat, especially in tropical regions. “
What do the authors suggest
The authors said in their papers that building infrastructure should be modified in such a way that it serves as a method of mitigating the negative effects of extreme heat, including death.
According to him, the annual increase in temperature as a result of global warming should not exceed 1.5 °C. Permanent cooling mechanisms like planting more trees, construction of buildings with heat reflecting wall coating, use of electric fans and other cooling devices should be implemented so that people do not suffer from physical stress and their body temperature can be controlled. Can go
The papers also outline how reliance on air-conditioning will be sustainable in the future, and how communities most vulnerable to climate change can’t afford ACs anyway.
Eb said there are two ways in which extreme heat can be combated – one is by reducing carbon emissions to reduce global warming, and the other by identifying prevention and response mechanisms.
“With more than half the global population projected to be exposed to dangerous summer weeks each year by the end of this century, we need to find ways to effectively and sustainably cool people down.”
The authors of the two-paper series suggested that people could regulate their body temperature by using cooling techniques such as electric and mist fans, immersing feet in cold water, wearing wet clothing, and self-accommodating with water. Protect yourself from extreme heat. Spray or sponge.
Other measures include taking short breaks from physical activity, staying well hydrated, and improving ventilation.
Professor Ollie Jay from the University of Sydney, Australia, who is the co-lead author of the series, said the emphasis should be on cooling the body rather than cooling the ambient air.
“The effects on the body of the effects of extreme heat may present an obvious and growing global health problem. If we focus on innovations to cool the body rather than cooling the air around us, the effects of heat There are many sustainable and accessible options to reduce the impact of exposure.
Better insulation and glazing can be provided to keep buildings cool from inside. If urban pollution is reduced, it can significantly reduce the effects of extreme heat.
The authors also said that heat action plans, including early warning systems and robust monitoring and monitoring, should include “evidence-based cooling strategies” to protect populations.
According to Professor J, the fact cannot be changed that future generations will be at greater risk of exposure due to extreme heat, and therefore, more research work should be done to combat the risks.
“It is important that the individual cooling strategies we recommend in heat-health action plans are based on scientific evidence. Ultimately, having a plan is not enough; it must be the right plan.”
An editorial in The Lancet states that the root cause of extreme heat, which is greenhouse gas emissions, cannot be addressed through action plans. Therefore, appropriate frameworks and policies should be put in place so that climate change can be mitigated in a sustainable manner.
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