Rising Temperatures Pose Deadly Threat: Heat-Related Deaths and Economic Loss on the Horizon

A new study from Argentina reveals that extreme heat and cold have a significant impact on mortality rates, particularly among the elderly, resulting in substantial economic damage. The research analyzed a decade's worth of data and found a U-shaped relationship between temperature and mortality, with both extreme cold and extreme heat contributing to increased mortality rates. Heatwaves, becoming more frequent due to climate change, were associated with a mortality rate increase of nearly 0.5 per 100,000 people. The economic analysis estimated that temperature-related mortality caused 0.75% of Argentina's GDP in 2019. Effective mitigation measures to reduce CO2 emissions are crucial to mitigate future impacts.