Climate Deaths: Heat vs. Cold

Every summer, stories about heat-related deaths highlight the urgency of climate action, often overshadowing the impact of cold, which is a significant yet underreported killer. 

Impact of Cold Temperatures

• Cold can cause slow, prolonged fatalities by raising blood pressure, the world's leading cause of death.
• According to a 2021 Lancet study, cold kills more than 4.5 million people globally per year, compared to nearly half a million heat deaths.

Effects of Global Warming

• Increases in temperature have led to more heat deaths but reduced cold deaths.
• The Lancet study found a net reduction of 166,000 temperature-related deaths annually over the past two decades.
• A study suggests total heat- and cold-related deaths will remain lower than today until nearly a 3° C increase, exceeding current expectations for this century.

Mitigation Strategies

• City design innovations:
  • Planting trees and increasing green spaces.
  • Painting roofs and roads white to enhance reflectivity.
• Ensuring access to affordable energy is vital for both heating and cooling solutions.
• In the US, air conditioning has halved heat deaths since 1960.
• Affordable heating from lower natural gas prices saves approximately 12,500 lives each winter.

Energy Costs and Climate Policies

• Policies often prioritize CO₂ emission reductions over energy affordability, increasing energy-related expenses.
• IEA data from 70 countries in 2023 shows a link between solar, wind usage, and higher energy prices.
• Countries like Germany face soaring energy costs due to net-zero climate policies.
• A significant portion of Germans are concerned about affording the cost of energy, with many avoiding heating despite cold conditions.

Conclusion

The media's focus on heat deaths oversimplifies the issue. Policies should prioritize human well-being by ensuring affordable energy access and fostering adaptation while investing in energy innovation for sustainable solutions.