Lancet Countdown report calls climate change a 'global health emergency'

Climate change is taking its toll, not just on the environment, but also on our health. A new report looks at the impact on our heart, lungs, and other organs. As Tashauna Reid reports, it paints a bleak picture. More days of heat waves, wildfire smoke, and air pollution choking communities, all fueled by greenhouse gas emissions. A stark reality highlighted in a new report by global researchers. Warning, the health impacts of climate change are accelerating. We're doing this to save people on the ground, to protect health, to protect well-being, and to avoid death. Using historical data and modelling, researchers estimate there were a record 710,000 heat-related deaths in 2023, attributing the majority to climate change. And the data suggests, in Canada, wildfire smoke was associated with nearly 4,000 deaths annually during a four-year period. There's these microparticles that we actually breathe in and get absorbed into the bloodstream and cause all of these inflammatory and immune reactions. Wildfire smoke and extreme heat increases cardiovascular and respiratory health risks. Ultimately, it's heart, lungs and brain. You know, our most essential organs are the ones that are most affected. Infants and adults over 65 are most vulnerable. This expert says the fact our population is aging must be taken into consideration. When we get old, we can't remove the heat from inside our bodies as effectively. Five years ago, a heat dome in British Columbia caused more than 600 deaths. In 2023, wildfires forced the evacuation of the hospital in Yellowknife, where Dr. Courtney Howard works. How often can we evacuate hospitals, invest all that's required? It took a military evacuation plane to get our inpatients all the way down to Vancouver. National Health Associations say they require more federal funding to help with climate adaptation needs in our health system. We need to be also looking for ways where we can decrease greenhouse gas emissions and also improve health at the same time. The research did highlight some progress. The authors say that mitigation efforts in some countries, such as solar and wind power, clean energy and air pollution control, has helped save hundreds of thousands of lives. Tashauna Reid, CBC News, Toronto.