profits even as climate change worsens heat waves, intensifies flooding and roils people’s mental health.
The report’s theme reflects a growing frustration and helplessness expressed by medical professionals left to deal with the impacts of climate change as world leaders struggle to address the root cause. Tiny particles released into the air as pollution during fossil fuel use were responsible for 1.2 million deaths in 2020. About 11,840 U.S. deaths were attributable to particulate air pollution, according to Salas.
Abraham, who serves patients in South Los Angeles, said he sees the effects associated with climate change in his clinic regularly — including children suffering from asthma, older patients dealing with heat-related health issues and others coming down with pollution-linked diseases like cancer.