Lancet Report Warns of Escalating Climate Health Crisis in India, Calls for Urgent Action

The recently released Lancet Countdown report, compiled by 122 experts, underscores an escalating global and regional health crisis fueled by climate change, particularly in countries like India. With the country experiencing a rapid spread of climate-sensitive infectious diseases, including malaria extending into the Himalayan region and expanded dengue transmission across the nation, India faces an unprecedented public health threat due to climate variability. This report calls for immediate action to improve climate-integrated forecasting, enhance healthcare infrastructure, and bolster community awareness to mitigate the growing risks of climate-sensitive diseases and other health challenges.

Climate-Sensitive Diseases on the Rise in India

India, with its diverse geography and vast population, is especially vulnerable to climate-sensitive diseases, which are exacerbated by rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and changing ecosystems. According to the report, mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and malaria have expanded to regions previously untouched by these infections, including higher altitudes in the Himalayas where malaria is now detected. The report also highlights how coastal regions, home to millions, face mounting threats from rising sea levels, posing serious flooding risks and increasing susceptibility to diseases linked to stagnant water and flooding.

The surge in climate-sensitive diseases requires a renewed commitment from Indian policymakers. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure, particularly in vulnerable regions, could improve India’s preparedness to tackle these health risks. Enhanced forecasting systems could provide early warnings, allowing authorities to prepare healthcare facilities for potential outbreaks and empowering communities to take preventive measures.

Heat Stress: A Mounting Crisis

Heat stress remains one of the most pervasive and deadly health threats driven by climate change. Globally, in 2023, there were 50 days with temperatures reaching potentially dangerous levels for human health, a staggering increase from previous years. This climate reality has impacted India particularly hard, with rising temperatures affecting labor productivity and increasing mortality rates, especially among those over the age of 65. In fact, the report states that heat-related fatalities worldwide surged by 167% compared to the 1990s, with India contributing significantly to this grim statistic.

The increasing number of heat-related deaths points to the need for India to implement widespread and accessible cooling solutions, particularly in low-income communities where access to air conditioning and other cooling infrastructure remains limited. Strategies such as creating more green spaces, promoting energy-efficient cooling methods, and instituting urban planning policies that account for high temperatures could protect vulnerable populations from the severe impacts of heatwaves.

Economic Costs of Climate Change: Losses in Labor and Income

The Lancet report reveals that, in 2023, people across the world endured an average of 1,512 hours of high temperatures that posed at least a moderate risk of heat stress—an increase of 27.7% since the 1990s. This extensive heat exposure led to a loss of approximately 512 billion potential labor hours and a global income loss of $835 billion, with low- and middle-income countries like India bearing the brunt of these losses. For a country with a large workforce in agriculture and construction, India is particularly vulnerable to income and productivity losses caused by extreme heat.

The economic fallout from climate-related productivity loss extends beyond individual households, with implications for India’s broader economic stability. To address this, the government can promote climate-resilient job opportunities, particularly in urban areas where extreme heat is more common due to the urban heat island effect. Furthermore, investment in renewable energy can help create jobs and reduce dependence on climate-sensitive industries, supporting both economic and environmental resilience.

Extreme Weather and Food Security Concerns

In 2023, extreme precipitation events affected 61% of global land areas, exacerbating the risks of flooding and disease outbreaks. India has faced numerous floods in recent years, with severe consequences for public health and food security. The Lancet report points to a worrying trend: the combined impact of droughts and heatwaves between 1981 and 2010 has left an additional 151 million people in 124 countries—including India—facing moderate or severe food insecurity by 2022.

This situation underscores the pressing need for climate-adaptive agricultural practices and policies in India. Drought-tolerant crop varieties, efficient irrigation systems, and soil management techniques can help safeguard the country’s food supply. Additionally, promoting water conservation measures and rethinking water resource management are essential steps to ensure that communities can withstand prolonged droughts and sustain agricultural productivity.

Dr. Priyadarsanan Dharma Rajan, the ecologist who discovered around 100 new species told CFC India that climate change directly affects genetic diversity of species. If pollinator species are lost, it will impact the crop production and thus will lead to huge food security concerns. 

Rising Global Temperatures and the Spread of Mosquito-Borne Diseases

The unprecedented increase in global temperatures has extended the climatic suitability for mosquito-borne diseases. Dengue, for example, reached an all-time high of over 5 million cases worldwide in 2023, with India among the affected countries. The Lancet report highlights the dangerous spread of these diseases to new regions, a result of warming climates that create favorable breeding environments for mosquitoes. This trend is especially concerning for India, where the healthcare system must be prepared to handle outbreaks in regions that are less familiar with such diseases.

In response, India could focus on climate-informed health surveillance systems that track temperature and precipitation changes to predict mosquito breeding seasons. Additionally, educational campaigns aimed at promoting awareness about mosquito control and disease prevention in vulnerable communities can help curb the spread of these infections.

India’s Coastal Communities at Risk from Rising Sea Levels

Report highlights India’s coastal communities, home to millions of people, face profound risks from rising sea levels. These communities are increasingly vulnerable to flooding, storm surges, and saltwater intrusion, which threaten water supplies, agriculture, and human health. The report calls for the development of effective flood adaptation plans to protect these regions from worsening climate-related risks.

Adaptive measures could include the construction of seawalls, restoration of coastal ecosystems like mangroves, and relocation plans for communities at high risk of flooding. Equipping local governments and communities with the resources and training needed for disaster preparedness will be essential to protect lives and livelihoods along India’s coastlines.

Positive Developments Amid Climate Crisis

Despite the alarming trends outlined in the report, there are some positive developments. The Lancet notes a decrease in air pollution-related deaths, driven in part by reductions in coal burning and a significant rise in global investment in clean energy, reaching $1.9 trillion in 2023. Employment in the renewable energy sector has also reached record levels, demonstrating the sector’s potential in supporting job security and environmental sustainability.

For India, these trends indicate an opportunity to shift toward cleaner energy sources, reducing the country’s reliance on coal and supporting employment in green sectors. By investing in renewables, India can not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also create new economic opportunities in a rapidly growing field, enhancing both environmental and economic resilience.

An Urgent Call to Action for India

The Lancet report makes it clear that climate change is an urgent health crisis, one that demands immediate and comprehensive action from India’s policymakers. With rising temperatures, expanding disease vectors, and economic vulnerabilities, the country faces a multitude of climate-induced health risks that necessitate a multi-faceted approach. Investing in climate-resilient healthcare infrastructure, improving early warning systems, promoting community awareness, and shifting toward clean energy are crucial steps for India to protect its population from the intensifying impacts of climate change.

To build a robust adaptive response, India must prioritize financial investments in health and climate resilience. By revitalizing its health and climate policies and encouraging collaborative efforts between government agencies, healthcare providers, and community organizations, India can build a future where its people are better protected from the growing climate threats.

References:

https://lancetcountdown.org/2024-report

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