OTTAWA: A new report indicates that global climate change is severely impacting the health and economy of Canada. According to figures from the Lancet Countdown, approximately 1,400 deaths occur annually in Canada due to wildfire smoke between 2020 and 2024.
The report highlights a significant increase in wildfire smoke exposure, which has risen by an average of 172% compared to the 2003-2012 period. Furthermore, the country lost over 40 million labor hours last year due to heatwaves, an increase of 136% compared to the 1990s average. The estimated loss in income is $1.4 billion, with the construction sector accounting for the majority (two-thirds) of this loss.
The report also warns that the world is heading towards a major catastrophe. It criticizes many world leaders for ignoring scientific evidence for short-term economic interests and favoring the fossil fuel industry, posing a threat to public health and national economies.
In Canada, the overconsumption of red meat and dairy products contributed to 16,000 deaths in 2022, which the report connects to emissions from the agricultural sector. These critical findings were released ahead of a major United Nations climate conference.
