Fighting climate change could avoid 4.5 million early deaths in U.S., study finds

The U.S. stands to avoid 4.5 million premature deaths if it works to keep global temperatures from rising by more than 2 degree Celsius, according to new research from Duke University (Source: “U.S. could avoid 4.5M early deaths by fighting climate change, study finds,” The Hill, Aug. 5).

The same study found working to limit climate change could prevent about 3.5 million hospitalizations and emergency room visits and approximately 300 million lost workdays in America.

Drew Shindell, a professor at Duke University, informed lawmakers during testimony Wednesday that action to limit climate change would amount to “over $700 billion per year in benefits to the U.S. from improved health and labor alone, far more than the cost of the energy transition.”

Shindell, who conducted the study alongside researchers at NASA, unveiled the findings during a House Oversight Committee hearing on the economic and health consequences of climate change.