Silver Lining For Global Warming

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Experts suggest that global warming could cut the number of deaths linked to cold temperatures.

This benefit could outweigh the dangers of a heatwave in the UK, according to a Health Protection Agency report, "Health Effects of Climate Change in the UK 2008".

The report predicts that heatwaves will only occur occasionally until 2030, after which they will be much more frequent, and then become "severe in intensity and duration" after 2060.

The authors calculate that a nine-day heatwave would kill 3,000 people immediately, with another 3,350 dying from heat-related conditions. Increased exposure to sunlight will lead to a rise in skin cancers.

However there are also health benefits from sunlight, because it helps the body produce vitamin D. Furthermore, milder winters mean that the number deaths during winter will continue to fall. Currently, the number of cold-related deaths in the UK currently averages about 20,000 per year.

Expert panel chairman Professor Robert Maynard said: "Climate change is likely to be one of the major challenges that humanity faces this century.

"It is important that we assess the possible health impact and take any actions that could minimise the consequences. The publication of this report is a significant step in that process."

"Together with falls by more than a third in cold-related mortality in all regions as winters grew warmer, the overall trend in combined heat- and cold-related mortality during climatic warming from 1971 to 2002 was beneficial," the report states.

English health minister Dawn Primarolo points out that climate change poses great challenges.

"Let’s not forget we also have a societal role to play in the mitigation of climate change by supporting sustainable development programmes - through consumer choice, reducing our carbon footprints and recycling waste," she said.

Date: February 13th 2008