Heart disease, America’s number-one killer, could become more deadly as heat-related cardiovascular deaths more than double due to climate change, scientists warn.
Heart-stopping future: With intermediate increases in greenhouse gas emissions, excess cardiovascular deaths caused by extreme heat would increase 162% by mid-century, University of Pennsylvania researchers project. With continued petroleum-based development, these deaths could more than triple, rising 233%.
The impact will be greater on non-Hispanic Black Americans—who, due to higher likelihood of disadvantages like lack of air conditioning or tree cover, could see a 4.6 times greater increase in heat-related cardiovascular deaths compared to non-Hispanic white Americans.
Other negative health impacts of climate change include greater incidence of asthma and Lyme disease in children and the spread of malaria.
Pollution also attacks the heart: Particulate matter generated by air pollution from burning fossil fuels also creates cardiovascular strain, triggering inflammation and damage to blood vessels, Bio.News reports.
Biotech solutions for climate, including sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) and reduced use of petroleum products through biomanufacturing, can help limit the damage.
Biotech needs policy support: Climate provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act and executive orders on environmental justice and biotechnology and biomanufacturing can help. But we need more support for biotech’s climate solutions, including greater incentives for SAFs, a more efficient regulatory process for new animal and plant traits and other climate-friendly measures in the Farm Bill, which still awaits passage.
