The talks usually focus on protecting the planet for future generations while the next generation is already suffering before they even have a chance at their future. A study published in Science Advances found that younger people especially those under 35 would die from heat related issues as temperatures continue to rise.
According to the study, this result is opposite to older research which indicated the mortality rate in older people due to severe heat and cold. The researchers stated that the severe heat and cold kills a higher number of young people under 35 than those older than 50. Because they are exposed to the most intense levels of humid heat which account for about 75% of heat related deaths.
“Most discussions of heat vulnerability focus on the elderly but we found that younger people bear the brunt of heat mortality.We didn’t expect this,” stated Andrew Wilson of Columbia University who led the study.
Failure to greatly minimize greenhouse gas emissions will result in a 32% rise in heat related mortality among younger people by the end of the century, he added.
Wet Bulb Temperature:
In Mexico to investigate the link between humid heat and death, the researchers monitored the ‘wet bulb temperature’ which accounts for sweat evaporation where the human body’s primary method to cool itself. But sweating is less effective in high humidity.
When surrounding wet bulb temperatures exceed human skin temperature (about 35 degrees Celsius), the body’s ability to release heat into the environment fails by potentially leading to mortality if exposed for an extended period.
The researchers compiled local level wet bulb temperature data including historical records of mortality and heat exposure in Mexico where deaths including age of death also have been documented since 1998.
Youngsters Heat Related Death Rates:
According to their findings which were based on data from 1998 to 2019, Mexico saw almost 3,300 deaths caused by heat per year. Almost one third of these were among people between the ages of 18 and 35.
The study further emphasized that children under five, especially newborn babies are extremely vulnerable to heat. On the other hand those between the ages of 50 and 70 saw the least amount of heat related death.
Top Countries and cases recorded for heat related deaths:
In Europe an estimated 48,000 people died from heat in 2023. The estimate was over 70,000 in 2022. The United Nations estimates that more than 175,000 people die from heat in Europe each year.
Germany in 2022 recorded the highest 8,173 heat related deaths. Greece records the highest rate of heat related deaths in Europe with 393 deaths per million people from 2023 data. Similarly Italy with 209 deaths per million people from 2023 data.
India’s heat waves have recently killed more than 100 people including dozens of poll workers during an election a few months before.
Pakistan records 568 people died from extreme temperatures, including the incident where 141 people died on June 25.
