Global warming is the biggest threat we face. If we don't address it by taking really effective steps to stop it, by 2030 there could be 60 thousand premature deaths, and in 2100 around 260 thousand, according to a study published in the journal 'Nature Climate Change'.
And, because climate change affects the concentrations of atmospheric pollutants, human health could be weakened to the point that their own life would be threatened.
Higher temperatures accelerate chemical reactions that create air pollutants, such as ozone and fine particles, which affect the population. In addition, places with less rainfall can also have more pollution, since the air changes less due to the lack of rainfall and, also, due to the increase in fires.
To reach that conclusion, the researchers used a series of global climate models to determine the number of premature deaths that would occur due to ozone and particulate matter in 2030 and 2100. They then applied the results spatially to the world's population. taking into account both population growth and the changes associated with air pollution that are expected.
Still, they were able to find out that due to global warming, the number of premature deaths related to pollution would increase worldwide, except in Africa. In fact, five out of eight models they used predicted there would be more premature deaths in 2030, and seven new models in 2100.
If we keep this in mind, we will realize how important it is to act now against global warming, since it is the only way to avoid so many deaths. Additionally, health could be affected by severe storms, the spread of disease, and changes in heat stress.
You can read the study here.