Climate change could shorten average human lifespan by six months, according to a study by Amit Roy of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology and New School for Social Research (USA), published in the open-access journal PLOS Climate on January 18, 2024. .

Temperature and precipitation, two alarming signals of climate change, cause a multitude of public health problems, ranging from acute and direct (such as natural disasters such as floods and heat) to indirect but equally devastating (such as respiratory and mental illnesses). Although such effects are observable and well documented, existing research has not established a direct link between climate change and life expectancy.

To investigate this relationship, the author analyzed average temperature, precipitation, and life expectancy in 191 countries from 1940 to 2020 and used GDP per capita to control for sharp differences between countries. The author developed a comprehensive climate change index, the first of its kind, that, in addition to measuring the isolated effects of temperature and precipitation, combines these two variables to assess the overall severity of climate change.

The results show that an isolated 1°C increase in global temperature is associated with a one-week reduction in average human life expectancy of approximately 0.44 years, or approximately six months. A 10-point increase in the composite climate change index, which takes into account both temperature and precipitation, is expected to shorten life expectancy by six months. Women and people in developing countries suffer disproportionately more.

In addition to the results of this study, Dr. Roy hopes that the composite climate change index will standardize the global climate change debate, provide a useful indicator for the non-scientific public, and encourage cooperation and even friendly competition between countries in combating climate change. Effects of climate change.

The author believes that reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the changing environment are particularly important. To complement this large-scale approach, the author recommends future local studies examining specific severe weather events (such as wildfires, tsunamis, and floods) whose effects cannot be fully explained by temperature and precipitation analysis alone.

Dr. Roy adds: “The global threat posed by climate change to the well-being of billions of people, as this study shows, underscores the urgent need to treat it as a public health crisis and ensure that efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and proactive initiatives are needed to sustain life expectancy and improve population growth worldwide.” It is necessary to protect your health.”