The rising temperature of the planet is now claiming one human life every minute, according to a major report on the health impacts of climate change. The inability to adapt to global warming is affecting human life, health, and well-being, with heat-related deaths increasing by 23% since the 1990s, the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change reports.

Record-Breaking Heat and Its Consequences

The year 2024 was the hottest on record, with devastating consequences for human health worldwide. Globally, the average person experienced 16 additional days of dangerous heat due to climate change. Vulnerable groups—infants under one year and adults over 65—faced an average of 20 heatwave days, representing a 389% and 304% increase, respectively, compared to 1986–2005 averages.

Heat-related mortality per 100,000 people has risen by 23% since the 1990s, translating to an average of 546,000 deaths annually between 2012 and 2021.

Wildfires, Pollution, and Food Insecurity

Hotter, drier conditions fueled wildfires, with fine particulate pollution (PM 2.5) from smoke causing 154,000 deaths in 2024—a 36% increase over the 2003–2012 annual average. Droughts and heatwaves also left 123 million more people facing moderate or severe food insecurity in 2023, compared to 1981–2010 averages.

Fossil Fuel Dependence

The report highlights that 2.5 million deaths annually are linked to air pollution from continued fossil fuel use. In 2023, governments spent $956 billion on fossil fuel subsidies even as oil and gas companies planned production at triple sustainable levels.

Meanwhile, emissions are hitting new records, and more than 128 million hectares of forest were destroyed in 2023—a 24% increase over 2022.

Hope in Action

Despite setbacks, the report notes positive impacts from ongoing climate actions. Cleaner air from reduced coal use is saving an estimated 160,000 lives annually, and renewable energy production reached historic highs.

The authors call for urgent acceleration of efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen climate adaptation.

The Lancet Countdown Report

The ninth annual Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change was led by University College London in collaboration with the World Health Organization. It reflects the work of 128 leading experts from 71 academic institutions and UN organizations worldwide, tracking the intersection of climate and human health.