03.12.2019

Lancet Countdown 2019

Climate change threatens our health

The Lancet Our health, our well-being, the stability of our societies and our health systems, all will depend on how we tackle the challenges of climate change. Worldwide, the warming of 1°C since the beginning of industrialization has led to extreme weather conditions with storms, floods, droughts and the emergence of new pathogens. Eight of the ten hottest years on record have occurred in the past decade. Especially the health of children and the elderly is at risk. On his 71st birthday, a child born today could already live in a world that has warmed up to 4°C. These predictions were presented from scientists from 35 institutions and UN organizations from five continents, as well as WHO and the World Bank in the "Lancet Countdown 2019". In their report on the health consequences of global warming, the experts call for immediate action from politicans and the UN Climate Change Conference in Madrid in order to counteract this destructive development.