Photo: hindustantimes.com
"India Faces Unmatched Climate Crisis: Billions in Labor Lost, Lives at Stake"
In 2024, Indias climate crisis escalated, with heat exposure leading to a staggering loss of 247 billion labor hours and air pollution responsible for 1.7 million deaths in 2022, as reported by The Lancet.
- The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change reported that India lost 247 billion potential labor hours due to heat exposure, marking an unprecedented crisis in 2024.
- Air pollution in India claimed over 1.7 million lives in 2022, highlighting a significant public health issue exacerbated by high levels of particulates, according to the World Health Organization.
- The report indicated that 12 out of 20 health risk indicators related to climate change set alarming new records last year, underscoring the urgency of addressing fossil fuel reliance, particularly coal.
Why It Matters
The findings reflect a dire need for urgent climate action in India, as the impacts on public health and labor productivity threaten the nations economic stability and the well-being of millions.