Stalhandske, Z. and Nesa, V. and Zumwald, M. and Ragettli, M. S. and Galimshina, A. and Holthausen, N. and Röösli, M. and Bresch, D. N.. (2022) Projected impact of heat on mortality and labour productivity under climate change in Switzerland. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci, 22 (8). pp. 2531-2541.
PDF
- Published Version
Available under License CC BY (Attribution). 3622Kb |
Official URL: https://edoc.unibas.ch/90838/
Downloads: Statistics Overview
Abstract
Extreme temperatures have reached unprecedented levels in many regions of the globe due to climate change, and a further increase is expected. Besides other consequences, high temperatures increase the mortality risk and severely affect the labour productivity of workers. We perform a high-resolution spatial analysis to assess the impacts of heat on mortality and labour productivity in Switzerland and project their development under different Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios, considering that no socio-economic changes take place. The model is based on the risk framework of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which combines the three risk components: hazard, exposure, and vulnerability. We model the two impact categories in the same spatially explicit framework, and we integrate uncertainties into the analysis by a Monte Carlo simulation. We model first that about 658 deaths are associated with heat exposure currently each year in Switzerland. Second, the economic costs caused by losses in labour productivity amount to around CHF 665 million (approx. USD 700 million) per year. Should we remain on an RCP8.5 emissions pathway, these values may double (for mortality) or even triple (for labour productivity) by the end of the century. Under an RCP2.6 scenario impacts are expected to slightly increase and peak around mid-century, when climate is assumed to stop warming. Even though uncertainties in the model are large, the underlying trend in impacts is unequivocal. The results of the study are valuable information for political discussions and allow for a better understanding of the cost of inaction.
Faculties and Departments: | 09 Associated Institutions > Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) 09 Associated Institutions > Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) > Department of Epidemiology and Public Health (EPH) > Environmental Exposures and Health Systems Research > Physical Hazards and Health (Röösli) |
---|---|
UniBasel Contributors: | Ragettli, Martina and Röösli, Martin |
Item Type: | Article, refereed |
Article Subtype: | Research Article |
Publisher: | Copernicus Publications |
ISSN: | 1684-9981 |
Note: | Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article |
Language: | English |
Related URLs: | |
Identification Number: | |
edoc DOI: | |
Last Modified: | 27 Dec 2022 22:08 |
Deposited On: | 27 Dec 2022 22:08 |
Repository Staff Only: item control page