The effects of climate change are becoming more serious every year. The Earth’s temperature is increasing by about 0.27°C every ten years. If this continues, our environment will suffer greatly. Weather is becoming more unpredictable—heatwaves are hotter, cold spells are harsher, and droughts, floods, and storms are happening more often. Glaciers are melting fast, and scientists are especially worried about the melting sea ice near Antarctica. Because of this, sea levels are rising, and natural disasters are becoming more common.
According to The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change 2025 report, climate change caused big losses last year — about 66% in agriculture and 20% in construction. It also says that due to extreme heat, people couldn’t work as much, leading to an estimated $194 billion loss in potential income. This report was prepared by 128 international experts from 71 universities and United Nations organizations, led by University College London (UCL). It is one of the most detailed studies so far showing how climate change affects human health.
The report states that excessive dependence on fossil fuels and the failure to adapt to climate change are putting the lives, health, and livelihoods of millions at risk. According to the report, 12 of the 20 indicators measuring the impacts of climate change on health have reached their highest levels ever. The report states that between 2020 and 2024, an average of 10,000 deaths per year in India were linked to PM 2.5 pollution caused by forest fires. Worryingly, this increase is 28% higher than the increase from 2003 to 2012, which should be a matter of serious concern.
According to The Lancet report, human-caused PM 2.5 pollution was responsible for 1.7 million deaths in India in 2022. Pollution generated by the use of petrol in road transport caused approximately 269,000 deaths. The capital, Delhi, and many other metropolitan cities across the country are facing the brunt of pollution, and children are bearing the brunt of this impact. From birth, children are suffering not only physical but also mental illnesses due to the dark killings of pollution. The impact of pollution is being felt not only outdoors but also indoors. COP-30 on climate change began today in Belém, Brazil. More than 50,000 delegates from 200 countries will participate in this conference, which will continue until November 21st. The question now is whether COP-30 will yield meaningful results or will it simply be a leisurely stroll for world leaders. Climate conferences have been held before, but nothing has changed. Developed countries, which have adopted an irresponsible attitude, are responsible for this. US President Donald Trump is the only one who has abstained from this conference. Ten years have passed since the Paris Climate Conference, but the goal of reducing global temperatures by 1.5 degrees Celsius has not been achieved. Renewable energy has overtaken fossil fuels as the largest source of energy.
Yet, there has been no reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Developed countries are emitting the most gases, but they blame poor and developing countries for this. Developed countries have consistently flouted the recommendations of climate conferences. Countries like India, China, South Africa, and Brazil play an influential role in climate conferences. COP29 set a target of raising US$300 billion for climate control by 2035, which was to be finalized at this conference, but Trump’s withdrawal makes this goal unlikely. COP30 faces many challenges. Due to global warming, countries will have to invest more to protect people from extreme weather events. Developing countries will need $10 billion annually between 2035 and 2050 to protect people from extreme heat, rising seas, flooding rivers and deadly storms, which is about 12 times the current funding allocated. To save the world, it is very important to reduce the earth’s temperature. For this, everyone will have to become sensitive and prepare a roadmap that can make the world safe in the future. Humans will also have to stop tampering with nature because ultimately nature will save this earth.
