It’s safe to say that climate change has received much attention in recent years.The consequences of this continuing phenomenon have been much discussed. According to one report, the fallout from rising global temperatures might include a rising number of traffic accidents.

A Little Goes a Long Way

This particular study appeared in the journal Nature Medicine, and concluded that global warming and all types of fatal accidents could very well be linked. Specifically, the report argues that a 3.6 °F increase in global temperatures would cause a notable increase in deadly accidents in the United States, to the tune of 2,100 annually. 

Such a worldwide increase in temperature certainly appears to be a possibility. Consider that the United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization recently estimated that global temperatures will spike noticeably by 2100. The amount of this increase is believed to range between 5.4 and 9.0°F.

Furthermore, the authors determined that even a smaller temperature increase could have major consequences. A 2.7°F increase will induce an extra 1,600 deadly accidents per year, according to the report. The main causes of these accidents-to-be are predicted to be transport accidents, drownings, suicides and other acts of violence.

Getting Ready

In light of their findings, the researchers stressed the need for governments to be prepared for climate-induced challenges. Study author Majid Ezzati stated that “these new results show how much climate change can affect young people. We need to respond to this threat with better preparedness in terms of emergency services, social support and health warnings.” 

The study’s findings were based on an examination of injury-related deaths in the United States over a period spanning nearly forty years (1980 to 2017). These accidents were compared against abnormal shifts in monthly temperatures over the same period of time.