New study shows millions of people may die by 2100 due to climate change

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Chemistry have used state-of-the-art numerical modeling to estimate the mortality caused by air pollution and extreme temperatures. The results of the analysis show that up to 30 million people could die by the end of the century due to climate change.

The study was made shortly after a UN report that said the Earth is on track for "catastrophic" warming of 3.1°C this century. Scientists based their calculations on forecasts from 2000 to 2090, analyzed at 10-year intervals, MailOnline writes.

"In 2000, around 1.6 million people died each year due to extreme temperatures, both cold and heat. By the end of the century, in the most probable scenario, this figure climbs to 10.8 million, roughly a seven-fold increase," said Dr. Andrea Pozzer, head of the study team.

The number of deaths due to air pollution will be even higher, "For air pollution, annual deaths in 2000 were about 4.1 million. By the century's close, this number rises to 19.5 million, a five-fold increase," the report says.

Scientists also say that there will probably be significant regional differences in mortality from climate change. According to the study, South and East Asia will suffer the most due to an aging population, with air pollution still playing a major role.

In contrast, in high-income regions such as Western Europe, North America, Australia, and Asia-Pacific, deaths related to extreme temperatures are expected to exceed those caused by air pollution.

The researchers hope that the findings will emphasize the urgent need for action to mitigate climate change.

"Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it is a direct threat to public health," said Dr. Pozzer.

According to Jean Sciare, director of the Climate and Atmosphere Research Center of The Cyprus Institute, these findings emphasize the critical importance of implementing decisive mitigation measures now to prevent future casualties.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!