Scientists from America's environmental organization Global Witness and Columbia University have claimed in a study that by the end of the century (ie 2100) 1.15 crore people may die due to extreme heat. This heat will be generated from emissions of fossil fuels. According to the study, if the level of emissions remains the same till 2050, then by 2100 the heat will reach its lethal level, due to which there is a danger of millions of lives being lost.
Researchers say that even a 0.1 degree Celsius increase in heat level due to fossil fuel emissions will be dangerous. Columbia University's carbon model showed that every million-ton increase in carbon would lead to 226 more heatwave events worldwide. China is currently at the top in terms of carbon emissions from fossil fuels. It is responsible for 31% of total emissions. After this, America is responsible for 26% and Russia for 20%.
Record emissions occurred last year
According to the report published in the journal Earth System Science Data, carbon dioxide emissions of 36.8 billion metric tons occurred in 2023. This is 1.1 percent more than in 2022. Oil companies established in European countries are also emitting huge amounts of carbon. The fossil fuels produced from these will increase carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere by 51 billion tons by 2050. The United Nations Climate Committee (IPCC) said that if the earth's temperature is to be controlled at 1.5 degrees Celsius, then carbon emissions will have to be reduced by 43 percent by 2030. However, the level of emissions has increased continuously in the last few years.
Every continent will be affected by heatwave in a few years
Researchers said that in the last few years, intense and deadly heat waves have affected almost every continent. Due to this, thousands of people lost their lives due to forest fires. At the same time, due to the extreme heat in Europe, more than 60 thousand people died in 2022.
Workers will be more affected
Researchers said that heatwave or heat has the greatest impact on the poorest and weakest people. Due to this, homeless people, people working outside and the elderly face more problems. Due to heat waves in South Asian countries, the level of drought increased, due to which 1 lakh people died. It is clear that heatwaves caused by climate change are a serious threat, and require immediate action. We need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and move towards clean energy sources. At the same time, we also need to take steps to protect poor and vulnerable communities from heatwaves.
(PC: Freepik)
