fatalities
Newsletter
Oil companies' emissions may lead to extensive heat fatalities
A recent study by Global Witness reveals that emissions from leading oil companies are on track to cause millions of heat-related deaths by 2100.
In short:
- A Global Witness study indicates burning fossil fuels by major companies could result in 11.5 million heat deaths by 2100.
- Projected carbon emissions from Shell, BP, TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil, and Chevron total 51 billion tonnes by 2050.
- Excessive heatwaves have caused significant mortality, particularly impacting vulnerable populations globally.
Key quote:
“Every 0.1C of warming will be lethal.”
— Sarah Biermann Becker, senior investigator at Global Witness
Why this matters:
Research indicates that the carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted by oil and gas companies are significant drivers of climate change, exacerbating the frequency, duration, and intensity of heatwaves. These extreme heat events pose a severe risk to human health, particularly for vulnerable populations.
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Air pollution's deadly toll in Europe
In 2021, air pollution in the European Union was responsible for over 500,000 deaths, with research indicating that adherance to medical guidelines on pollution could have prevented a significant portion of these fatalities.
In short:
- Nearly half of the deaths could have been prevented if pollution levels were reduced to meet the World Health Organization's recommended limits.
- Eastern and southeastern Europe bear the biggest burden.
- The EU has set a target to achieve a 55% reduction in deaths related to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution by the end of this decade, signaling a commitment to improving air quality.
Key quote:
"The figures released today...remind us that air pollution is still the number one environmental health problem in the EU."
— Virginijus Sinkevičius, EU environment commissioner.
Why this matters:
Air pollution remains a critical global health crisis, responsible for a range of serious health problems. Scientists estimate millions of preterm births and underweight newborns worldwide can be attributed to long-term exposure to air pollution. While Europe has improved air quality through tougher standards for industry, expanded public transport and restricting car traffic, there has been pushback.
How can we, as individuals and communities, contribute to reducing air pollution and safeguarding public health?
AI-based tools helped produce this text, with human oversight and editing.
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www.cnn.com
Lagos floods: Africa's most populous city could be unlivable in a few decades, experts warn
Home to more than 24 million people, Lagos, a low-lying city on Nigeria's Atlantic coast, may become uninhabitable by the end of this century as sea levels rise due to climate change, scientific projections suggest.
www.nytimes.com
EPA imposes limits on a deadly chemical in paint strippers
The rule, which scales back a ban proposed under President Barack Obama, would prohibit the consumer use of products containing methylene chloride but allow commercial use.
Newsletter
www.nytimes.com
5 ways to keep cities cooler during heat waves
Heat waves are America’s deadliest natural disaster. Here are some strategies that cities around the world are pursuing to try to beat the heat.
www.nytimes.com
A rush to find survivors amid the mud of Southern California enclave
More than a dozen people are missing around Montecito in the aftermath of mudslides that killed 17 people and destroyed 100 homes.
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