Climate Change and Air Pollution Projected to Cause 30 Million Deaths Annually by 2100
New research highlights a stark rise in mortality due to extreme temperatures and air pollution, with significant regional disparities and urgent calls for mitigation.
- A study led by the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry predicts that annual deaths from air pollution and extreme temperatures could reach 30 million by 2100 under the most likely scenario.
- Temperature-related deaths are projected to increase seven-fold, from 1.6 million in 2000 to 10.8 million annually by 2090, while air pollution-related deaths may rise five-fold to 19.5 million.
- South and East Asia are expected to experience the largest increases in mortality rates, driven by aging populations and persistent air pollution risks.
- In high-income regions such as Western Europe, North America, and Australasia, temperature-related deaths are already surpassing those caused by air pollution, a trend expected to expand to other regions like Central and Eastern Europe and parts of South America.
- Researchers emphasize the urgent need for integrated strategies addressing both climate change and air quality to mitigate the growing public health crisis.
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