During the last 100,000 years, there has been an increase in the highest global temperature, and the heat level was at a record-setting high.

This was shared by a group of international researchers during the launching of “The 2023 Report of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate change: The imperative for a health-centred response in a world facing irreversible harms.”

According to the report, extreme heat may be harmful and may endanger the lives of adults aged above 65 and infants aged below one, who are considered to belong to a high-risk group.

The report explains that climate change may damage the natural system and resource sustainability. This damage indirectly affects the level of human health globally. Increased temperature causes the soil to be less fertile and this ultimately affects plants and crops that become humans’ main food sources.

This worrying condition may also affect clean water sources, sanitation, and food production. The frequent heat wave and draught lately has affected the world’s food supply demand, and it has caused the world’s population to face the risk of nutritional deficiencies, directly affecting the public’s health.

The situation will worsen if the uncertain climate phenomena like this continues. It may potentially cause more population to face the risk of infectious diseases such as dengue, malaria, vibriosis, and West Nile virus, which may threaten lives.

The Lancet Countdown 2023 hosted by Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) also drew the attention of Deputy Prime Minister who was present at the opening ceremony at Sultan Abdullah Hospital, Puncak Alam, on 1 December.

UMT Vice Chancellor Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mazlan Abd Ghaffar in his speech said the university is highly committed in its effort to find the best solution to overcome the issue of global climate change.

“UMT is committed to continuing the event, and this is the third time that UMT serves as the event host and as the global partner. We are proud of the involvement of the country’s leader Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to help us further strengthen the effort to overcome the issue of climate change that is getting worse thereby affecting the global food security and health.”

Lancet Countdown is a collaborative programme between international researchers who monitor the impact of climate change on human health. They total 114, consisting of scientists and health practitioners from 52 research institutions and PBB agencies around the world.

Last year, the Lancet Countdown emphasized the use of alternative energies to reduce dependency on fossil fuel and manage the issue of climate change, high cost of living, and health crisis, for the health of all humans and the sustainability of the environment.

Published by:

Corporate Communications Office

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu