death
Newsletter
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Isolated people face higher risks during extreme heatwaves
People living alone are at greater risk of death during extreme heatwaves, with cities now developing programs to protect these vulnerable individuals.
In short:
- Social isolation increases the danger of heat-related deaths, especially among the elderly, poor and those without air conditioning.
- Cities like New York and Philadelphia have launched community-based programs to check on vulnerable residents during heatwaves.
- Experts urge more systemic changes, including better investment in public spaces and addressing urban poverty.
Key quote:
“You have to bring the resources to them, to the community, where people know you and you already have that trust.”
— Pastor Brenda of Allen AME Church, Baltimore
Why this matters:
As heatwaves become more common, socially isolated people face a growing risk of death. Strengthening community ties and improving public infrastructure could save lives.
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Credit: The National Guard/U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Foster/Flickr
Charging climate polluters with homicide
Climate experts and legal advocates are targeting major polluters like TotalEnergies, seeking to hold them criminally accountable for deaths caused by extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change.
In short:
- Elisa's mother died in a historic flood in France, prompting a lawsuit against TotalEnergies, accusing the company of involuntary manslaughter.
- The case is bolstered by attribution science, which links specific climate disasters to emissions from fossil fuel companies.
- Advocates argue that civil lawsuits haven't led to sufficient change, and criminal charges might push for more urgent action.
Key quote:
“The main objective of our litigation is really to hold [TotalEnergies] responsible for past decisions and past and current and future impacts of climate change.”
— Hadrien Goux, French nonprofit Bloom Association
Why this matters:
Legal and scientific minds are teaming up, using cutting-edge climate science to argue that these deaths aren't just tragic accidents but preventable outcomes of corporate negligence. It's a legal revolution with the power to shake up the entire industry and finally put human lives at the center of the climate conversation. Read more: Robbie Parks on climate justice and mental health.
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Newsletter
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
California heat waves lead to deaths, financial losses
Recent heat waves in California have resulted in hundreds of deaths and billions in economic losses over the past decade, a new report by the state insurance department reveals.
In short:
- Seven heat events from 2013 to 2022 killed nearly 460 people and caused $7.7 billion in economic damage.
- Effects include lost wages, productivity declines, agricultural disruptions, and infrastructure damage.
- Low-income communities and minority groups face the highest heat-related death rates.
Key quote:
“It’s really important to understand that heat is a silent killer.”
— Michael Mendez, assistant professor of environmental planning and policy at UC Irvine
Why this matters:
Rising temperatures are more than just a summer inconvenience. They’re a serious threat to public health and the economy. Vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions, face the greatest risks. Hospitals and emergency services are stretched thin during extreme heat events, dealing with a surge in heat-related illnesses.
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Newsletter
Phoenix uses ice immersion to combat heatstroke as temperatures soar
Phoenix firefighters are employing ice immersion techniques to treat heatstroke victims amid the season's first heat wave in the Southwest.
In short:
- The Phoenix Fire Department is using cold water immersion to treat heatstroke victims during transport to hospitals.
- This method, familiar to marathon runners and military personnel, can lower body temperatures rapidly and improve survival rates.
- Phoenix has also introduced overnight cooling stations as part of new measures to combat rising temperatures and heat-related deaths.
Key quote:
“We’ve been seeing a severe uptick in the past three years in cases of severe heat illness.”
— Dr. Paul Pugsley, medical director of emergency medicine with Valleywise Health
Why this matters:
As temperatures in Phoenix reach extreme highs, innovative treatments like ice immersion are crucial for preventing heat-related deaths. Heatstroke, a severe form of heat illness, occurs when the body's temperature regulation fails and internal temperatures rise dangerously high. The condition can lead to organ damage or even death if not treated swiftly. Traditional cooling methods, such as fans and misting, often fall short when faced with the rapid onset of heatstroke symptoms.
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Credit: Jerry Zhang/Unsplash
China faces urgent need to tackle air pollution mortality risk
In a recent study, scientists reveal the urgent need for China to address its escalating air pollution deaths to protect its growing elderly population.
In short:
- Researchers found that air pollution deaths in China could start to increase again due to the country's ageing population and existing health vulnerabilities.
- Despite significant improvements and the implementation of comprehensive air pollution action plans, China still lags behind global standards.
- The study suggests that deaths related to air pollution could rise by 116,000 to 181,000 annually from 2030 to 2060 without more aggressive action.
Key quote:
"The same level of air pollution will have a greater impact on an older and less healthy population with increased levels of diseases impacted by air pollution."
— Michael Brauer, professor at the University of British Columbia
Why this matters:
Vulnerable populations worldwide, including children, the elderly, and those with preexisting health conditions are more susceptible to the adverse effects of pollution, which can exacerbate asthma, lead to lung cancer, and increase the risk of stroke and heart attack. The situation is more dire in lower-income communities and developing nations, where regulatory and health infrastructures are often lacking, exposing residents to higher pollution levels without adequate protection or healthcare support.
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Climate change will kill 14.5 million people globally by 2050 — but mostly not directly
A recent report also projects $12.5 trillion in economic losses and $1.1 trillion in healthcare costs by midcentury.
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