A group of scientists have raised an alarm about how the climate change is going to take lives of 30m people by 2100.
The shocking new study by researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry have estimated the mortality attributable to air pollution and extreme temperatures.
The experts concluded that around 30 million people could die by the end of 2100 due to climate change and air pollution.
The study follows a recent UN report warning that Earth is on a trajectory for a “catastrophic” 3.1C of warming by the end of the century.
Researchers conducted their analysis using projections spanning 2000 to 2090, examined in 10-year intervals, reports Mail Online.
The findings highlight significant regional variations in climate-related mortality. South and East Asia are expected to be the hardest hit, largely due to an ageing population, with air pollution remaining a major contributing factor.
In contrast, in high-income regions such as Western Europe, North America, Australasia, and Asia Pacific, deaths linked to extreme temperatures are projected to surpass those caused by air pollution.
This shift in temperatures is already evident in some countries within these regions, including the US, England, France, Japan and New Zealand.
Dr Andrea Pozzer, group leader, said: “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.
“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 researchers believe that the findings may throw some light on the urgent need for actions to mitigate climate change.
Dr Pozzer said: “Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it is a direct threat to public health.”
Jean Sciare, director of the Climate and Atmosphere Research Center of The Cyprus Institute, said: “These findings highlight the critical importance of implementing decisive mitigation measures now to prevent future loss of life.”
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