in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 12, 2023, where temperatures reached 106 degrees amid an ongoing heatwave. More than 50 million Americans are set to bake under dangerously high temperatures this week, from California to Texas to Florida, as a heat wave builds across the southern United States.
“Evidence shows that the global warming trend is accelerating, which has resulted in 19 of the 20 hottest years since 1880 occurring after 2000. In line with climate change, the Lancet Countdown 2022 Report estimated that the heat-related mortality for the elderly over 65 years increased by 68% from 2000–2004 to 2017–2021,” the authors wrote. “Direct outcomes of a heatwave include heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heatstroke.
Of the 153,078 deaths reported, 48.95% of deaths had occurred in Asia, followed by 31.56% in Europe, 13.82% in Africa, 5.37% in America, and 0.28% in Oceania. Although Asia reported the highest number of heatwave deaths, Europe had the most significantly highest death rate at 655 deaths for every ten million residents. Among European countries, Italy, Malta, and Greece recorded the highest excess death ratios between 1990 to 2019.
A World Health Organization survey revealed that out of 101 countries, only half had announced nationwide plans on health and climate change. To make matters worse, only four countries have adequate funds to implement those plans.