Tropical deforestation is associated with considerable heat-related mortality
3 days ago
- #deforestation
- #climate-change
- #public-health
- Tropical deforestation is linked to local warming, contributing to an estimated 28,000 heat-related deaths annually.
- Satellite data from 2001–2020 shows deforestation exposed 345 million people to daytime land surface warming of 0.27°C.
- Southeast Asia has the highest heat-related mortality rates (8–11 deaths per 100,000 people in deforested areas).
- Deforestation accounts for over one-third of total climate heat-related mortality in deforested regions.
- Deforestation-induced warming is comparable to or exceeds projected warming from a century of high-emission climate change.
- Lower-income tropical populations face disproportionate health risks due to deforestation and climate change.
- Deforestation also impacts humidity, labor productivity, and increases risks of malaria and air pollution from fires.
- Conserving tropical forests can mitigate local warming and protect vulnerable populations from health risks.