The number of Australians dying from heatwaves is set to increase exponentially due to climate change, with almost 6000 to perish a year by 2100, a new Australian study has found.
This staggering figure represents a death toll twenty-four times higher than the current rate.
Although about 250 Australians lost their lives to extreme heat each year between 2016 and 2019, the rapid warming of the continent is expected to push that annual mortality rate to 5913 by the turn of the century.
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The study, led by Monash University researchers and published in The Lancet Planetary Health, reveals a grim future for the nation's hottest regions.
In the Northern Territory, mortality from heatwaves is projected to skyrocket by an incredible 4412 per cent.
Even in areas considered the least heat-affected, such as the West Coast of South Australia, the impact remains significant with a predicted 356 per cent increase in deaths.
Researchers analysed climate data for more than 2200 communities across Australia to map out the geographic burden of rising temperatures.
The findings indicate that by the decade 2090–99, the Northern Territory will face the highest annual excess mortality rate at 33.9 deaths per 100,000 population.
Queensland follows with 18.4 deaths, while New South Wales is projected to suffer 12.8 deaths per 100,000 residents.
Lead researcher Professor Shandy Li said the projections underscore the urgent need for integrated mitigation and locally tailored adaptation strategies to address climate-related health inequities.
Heatwaves are defined as prolonged periods of excessively hot weather and are known to cause a sharp rise in illnesses and deaths related to cardiovascular, respiratory and renal conditions.
The study highlights that the most vulnerable Australians will bear the heaviest burden.
Co-lead author Professor Yuming Guo noted that northern and inland regions were especially at risk. These areas often have higher Indigenous populations and frequently suffer from inadequate access to cooling and medical resources.
"Northern and inland regions, where Indigenous populations account for a larger share of residents compared with other regions and access to cooling and medical resources is inadequate, are especially vulnerable to the effects of heatwaves," Professor Guo said.
"Without co-ordinated action, climate change will substantially exacerbate the health impacts of extreme heat and strain public health resilience across Australia," he said.
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