The Lancet report warns that climate change causes 546,000 deaths annually due to extreme heat.

The Lancet Countdown 2025 report highlights that climate change poses an unprecedented threat to human health, with 546,000 deaths annually between 2012 and 2021 directly caused by extreme heat. The most affected regions are Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. Extreme heat contributes to kidney disorders, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, particularly affecting infants and the elderly. Air pollution, generated by fossil fuels, caused 2.5 million deaths in 2022, while wildfires led to 154,000 deaths in 2024. Although renewable energy is increasing, governments continue to fund fossil fuels, causing significant economic losses. Extreme weather events resulted in 16,000 deaths in 2024 and affected agricultural production, exposing 124.4 million people to food insecurity. Climate change also facilitates the spread of infectious diseases, with an increased risk of virus transmission through insects.