The largest annual survey of the impact of climate change on human health has determined that in 2020 up to 19 percent of the Earth's land mass will be affected by extreme drought.
In research published in the Lancet magazine, it is stated that climate change is a major threat to food security, and that it already affects more than two billion people.
The population of 134 countries is now at greater risk of wildfires than before, and millions who work in agriculture and construction work are losing their income due to the increasing number of extremely hot days.
Climate change is creating ideal conditions for infectious diseases such as dengue fever, Zika virus, cholera and malaria over much larger areas of the world, including Europe, than just a few decades ago.
"Climate change is here and we're already seeing damage to human health around the world," said Lancet Countdown CEO Anthony Costello.
He added that as the coronavirus crisis continues, every country faces some aspect of the climate crisis.
Disruption of the water cycle due to global warming shortens the time it takes for plants to reach maturity, resulting in low yields and increasing pressure on food production.
According to the Lancet, the yield potential of corn, a global staple food, has already fallen six percent compared to the period from 1981 to 2010.
Wheat experienced a drop in potential yield of 3 percent, and rice by 1,8 percent.
And the seafood on which it depends 3,3. billions of people are under "increasing threat", and the average sea temperature is rising in almost 70 percent of territorial waters compared to just 15 years ago.
The report warns that nearly three-quarters of the countries surveyed said they believed they could not afford an integrated national health and climate strategy.
"This year we have seen people suffering extreme heat, deadly floods and fires," said study leader Maria Romanello.
She pointed out that these are "grim warnings".
"Every day we delay the response to climate change, the situation becomes more and more critical. It is time to realize that no one is safe from the consequences of climate change".
In an editorial, the Lancet called on world leaders to redirect some of the billions they are spending on coronavirus recovery to reducing inequality and protecting health at the upcoming COP26 summit.
"This year's indicators provide a bleak outlook - global inequalities are widening and the health epilogue is worsening".
It is warned that the rise in temperature will expose tens of millions of people to diseases and droughts already in 2050.
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