By 2050, the elderly population will account for nearly a quarter of the world’s population. This group will face significant adverse effects due to rising temperatures.
A study published in the journal Nature Communications indicates that by 2050, the world is expected to see an increase of 246 million elderly individuals (aged 69 and above).
This group will represent 23%, or nearly a quarter of the global population, and will be at risk from extreme heat waves, with temperatures estimated to exceed 37.5⁰ C over the next decade.
Giacomo Falchetta, a climate change researcher at the European-Mediterranean Climate Change Center, stated: “Both the frequency and intensity of heat waves will increase due to climate change.” Specifically, the number of days each year exceeding 37.5⁰ C, which currently averages around 10 days, is projected to rise to about 20 days.
An elderly man struggling with the heat in Beijing in July 2023 (Photo: AFP).
According to Andrew Chang, an epidemiologist from Stanford University (USA), this has a significant impact on the elderly, as they are particularly vulnerable to temperature effects.
This expert explains that as people age, their tolerance to heat decreases. In other words, exposure to high temperatures poses greater health risks for the elderly, both physically and mentally.
Elderly individuals also often suffer from chronic illnesses, and their conditions can worsen due to heat exposure, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
Giacomo Falchetta warns that countries need to start planning now to address the needs of the elderly population.
This expert notes that while there is no one-size-fits-all approach to mitigating risks from high temperature exposure, several options can be considered, such as enhancing healthcare infrastructure for the elderly, implementing early heat warning systems, providing public health services, and expanding green spaces and vegetation to reduce urban heat island effects.
Earlier in April, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted an “unusually hot” summer in many regions across the United States, extending from the northwest to the southwest.
Climate models also predict that 2024 could be the hottest year on record, due to the “double” impact of climate change and the El Niño phenomenon. The El Niño phenomenon is expected to significantly contribute to the rise in global temperatures.
