If the world does not act immediately, the climate crisis will become even more extreme. And if this happens, the consequences will be devastating. A new study from the XDI (Cross Dependency Analysis) platform states that, if this continues, extreme weather events, torrential storms, floods, the risk of fires and rising sea levels could put the one in twelve hospitals worldwide by 2100. In total, climate chaos would endanger more than 16,000 health centers. In Spain, there are up to 35 health centers that could be threatened by this type of phenomena.
The advance of climate chaos could cause damage to more than 16,000 hospitals around the world, according to a study
The report, presented this Saturday during the Dubai climate summit (COP28), analyzes the “vulnerability” of 200,000 hospitals around the world to climate disasters. According to the promoters of this study, the objective is study how climate extremes could cause structural damage in healthcare facilities and how, based on current emissions, This risk can be mitigated or increased by the end of the century. “Without a rapid shift away from fossil fuels, thousands of hospitals around the world could be at risk“say the experts behind this analysis.
Analysis estimates how climate extremes could cause structural damage to healthcare facilities by 2100
The situation in Spain is the following. At this time, as the records indicate, the average damage experienced by hospitals Spaniards from climate disasters has increased by 43% since 1990. If emissions continue to increase moderately, this figure could more than double by 2050. And if the presence of greenhouse gases accelerates even further, damage to infrastructure Spanish health services could triple by the end of the century. This could affect from large hospital facilities as primary care centers and residences. In Catalonia there would be at least five facilities potentially affected by these phenomena.
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The analysis seeks to draw attention to How the climate crisis could wreak real havoc in the coming decades. “Climate change is increasingly affecting the health of people around the world. But what will happen when climate disasters also cause hospitals to close? If we continue like this, thousands of healthcare facilities around the world will be unable to provide services during extreme weather events“says Karl Mallon, one of the promoters of this work.
“What will happen when climate disasters also cause hospitals to close?”
Study promoter
The results of this scientific report have been presented on the eve of the first day in the history of climate summits specifically dedicated to health. This initiative, supported by the United Nations and different health associations around the world, seeks to warn about how the progress of this environmental crisis is impacting human health. Or put another way, how the fight against these extreme phenomena could contribute to saving millions of lives Worldwide.