Lethal Humidity Global Council

Rising temperatures and increasing humidity are surpassing human tolerance limits in some regions, creating serious risks to public health. A study in the scientific journal Nature Portfolio co-authored by members of the Lethal Humidity Global Council confirms that extreme humid heat events are already occurring. The study emphasises the importance of reducing emissions, adopting Real Zero targets and implementing practical measures like early warning systems to protect vulnerable communities. The science is clear: action is needed now to safeguard lives and livelihoods. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gBEr5gey

In the news: Corporations using ‘ineffectual’ carbon offsets are slowing path to #RealZero. "A reliance on carbon offsets without the needed emission reductions is dangerous and detrimental. The timeframe is now so tight that there is no space for companies to use offsetting to continue high-carbon activities. We need to turn the fossil fuel taps off, all of them.” Real Zero – stopping the burning of fossil fuels - is far harder than Net Zero, but it’s the only path that can prevent further escalation of climate impacts. Read more from the Lethal Humidity Global Council experts including Professor Michael Mann, Johan Rockström, Bill Hare, Sylvia Earle and Tzeporah Berman. https://lnkd.in/eMmyyiTv #RealZero #NetZero #Offsets 

On the eve of Climate Week we officially launched the Lethal Humidity Global Council at UN Headquarters.    Supported by a landmark AU$5.8 million contribution from Minderoo Foundation, LHGC is a collaboration of climate scientists, public health experts, and policymakers from renowned institutions such as Tsinghua University, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Harvard University, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford and the Indian Institute of Technology.   This funding will support 10 new research projects focusing on health, food security, climate migration, and productivity, as well as the development of a global early warning system for deadly heatwaves.   Leading experts from the Lethal Humidity Global Council also signed a statement calling for business and government to adopt Real Zero targets. We must transition away from fossil fuels and embrace real decarbonisation to prevent further climate catastrophes. Collaboration is key, and the LHGC is leading the charge to ensure the world’s most vulnerable communities are protected.   #ClimateScience #UNClimateWeek #RealZero #Heatwaves #LHGC

As the planet grapples with increasing frequency and severity of climate-related disasters, the specific vulnerabilities of women and girls demand urgent attention. Historical data and recent events illustrate that in times of crisis, existing gender inequalities exacerbate, leading to heightened risks of gender-based violence, health disparities, and economic deprivation for women and girls. For example, in the aftermath of hurricanes coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic in Honduras, local organisations reported a significant rise in gender-based violence—a disturbing pattern mirrored in other disaster-struck regions. Conditions in overcrowded emergency shelters, where privacy is scarce and social services are disrupted, severely compromise women’s safety and dignity. The research of Dr. Ramit Debnath, a member of the Lethal Humidity Global Council, along with researcher Yi-Ting Lin, recently published a groundbreaking study in Nature, which reinforces this narrative by highlighting critical data gaps that obscure the impact of heatwaves on vulnerable populations in India, particularly on women. The study points out the stark lack of precise, gender-segregated data which is crucial for crafting effective climate action that protects those most at risk. This underscores the necessity not only to combat climate change but to do so through a gender-sensitive lens. It is imperative to design disaster response and climate resilience strategies that prioritise the safety and empowerment of women and girls. Ensuring they have a voice in planning processes and access to essential resources during and after crises is vital. Dr. Debnath’s and Lin’s work is a call to action for robust data collection and standardised reporting to develop targeted policies and interventions. By addressing these gaps, we can better understand and mitigate the specific impacts of climate change on women, enhancing our overall resilience strategy. Read more here: bit.ly/3XjO4O6

New research from Cambridge’s Dr. Ramit Debnath and Ronita Bardhan, members of the Lethal Humidity Global Council on the dangers rising lethal heat and humidity pose to women and men globally - but particularly women, who have less access to cooling and, incredibly, are more likely to deny themselves cooling, unless their kids or loved ones are present. https://lnkd.in/gGqnKjPm The Lethal Humidity Global Council is a small but mighty and rapidly growing band of climate science titans, medical experts, economists and physiologists. The remit is to demonstrate to policy makers, via research, that climate change is already killing people - how many, we don’t know. But we will soon. Our recent summit was hosted by Harvard University’s Salata Institute where we heard about work being done on the ground in India - ground zero for lethal humidity - by Harvard’s Caroline Buckee and Sachit Balsari, the latest climate science from Nerilie Abram, Katrin Meissner and Peter Huybers, emerging research that humans are more vulnerable to lethal humidity than previously thought from Ollie Jay, the rising risk of deadly malaria due to humidity from Professor Michael Good, lack of robust data on how many people are dying from heat and humidity from Fahad Saeed and Ronita Bardhan, economic and policy implications from James Stock and Brian O'Callaghan and the national security and supply chain risks from Dr Robert Glasser at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Josh Hopkins and Peter McCulloch.

As the planet warms, migration patterns are dramatically shifting. Climate change has emerged as one of the most significant drivers of migration, compelling millions to seek livability and safety elsewhere. This migration is not just a statistic; it’s a series of human stories and a considerable challenge to global stability. Countries most affected by climate change are also those facing high rates of poverty and existing social tensions. These migrations strain infrastructure, exacerbate urban sprawl, and test social safety nets. Moreover, they present unique challenges and opportunities for policy-making and governance. The private sector, governments, and NGOs must collaborate to create adaptive, resilient strategies that address both the causes and effects of climate migration. This includes investing in sustainable urban development, strengthening rural areas to withstand environmental shocks, and creating policies that facilitate safe, orderly, and humane migration.

As climate change continues to alter our planet’s landscape, it also reshapes human settlement patterns. Migration induced by environmental factors is expected to rise dramatically, with estimates suggesting up to 200 million people could be displaced by 2050. This represents a significant challenge to global stability and development. Countries like Afghanistan exemplify the complex interplay between climate change and migration. Facing severe drought conditions amid ongoing conflict, many are forced to flee, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation. Such displacement has profound implications, not only for the migrants but also for the communities they join and those they leave behind. Forced migration places immense pressure on urban infrastructure and services, disrupts local economies, and can escalate conflicts over resources. Additionally, the loss of human capital as young, educated individuals leave their homelands can hinder long-term developmental prospects of the affected regions. As professionals, policymakers, and global citizens, understanding and addressing the underlying factors driving climate migration is crucial. We must integrate migration considerations into climate adaptation strategies, ensuring that infrastructure and economic planning are resilient to increased migratory pressures.

Climate change is increasingly recognised as a ‘threat multiplier’ that exacerbates existing vulnerabilities in states around the world, leading to political instability and conflict. As global temperatures rise, natural disasters like droughts and floods become more frequent and severe, leading to significant displacements and straining resources. This displacement often forces people into overcrowded living conditions, heightens competition for limited resources, and increases the likelihood of conflict. Such scenarios are evident in places like the Sahel region of Africa, where ecological degradation has intensified competition for land and water. Moreover, climate change impacts often hit the poorest communities the hardest, deepening existing inequalities and increasing the potential for conflicts. As policymakers and global leaders grapple with these challenges, the need for integrated strategies that address both climate resilience and conflict prevention has never been more urgent.

The link between climate change and political instability is becoming increasingly apparent. As climate-driven migration forces populations into closer quarters, the competition for already scarce resources can escalate into conflict. This is particularly evident in nations with vulnerable governance structures and where poverty is widespread, such as Chad – cited as highly susceptible to climate change and beset by significant rates of hunger. In such areas, the influx of people, including refugees, combined with the stress of resource shortages, can lead to increased violence and further displacement, creating a vicious cycle of instability. These dynamics not only destabilise nations but also have far-reaching implications for regional and global security, as recognised by entities like the UN Security Council. The international community must address the root causes of climate-induced displacement and conflict by investing in sustainable development and resilience in the most affected regions. By doing so, we can work towards breaking the cycle of displacement and violence that threatens both local and international peace.

The link between climate change and food security is one of the most critical issues of our time. As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, the way we grow, harvest, and distribute food must adapt swiftly. The stakes are high: a failure to adapt agricultural practices to changing climatic conditions can lead to significant disruptions in food supply chains, impacting everything from local farm incomes to global food prices. Join the conversation on how we can all contribute to a more food-secure world in the face of climate challenges. What measures do you think are most effective? How can businesses and consumers alike make a difference? #FoodSecurity #ClimateChange #SustainableDevelopment