PALAU — Rising temperatures fueled by climate change are posing significant threats to Palauans’ health, livelihoods, and economy, according to the Lancet Countdown: Health and Climate Change 2024 data sheet for Palau.
The report shows that from 2018 to 2022, Palau experienced higher temperatures compared to the period of 1986-2005. Not only are temperatures rising, but heatwaves are lasting longer, exacerbating the impact on residents and the economy.
“Trends in heat and health are particularly concerning,” the report stated, noting that prolonged exposure to high temperatures is affecting public health and undermining productivity.
Residents are feeling the effects firsthand. “It does feel so much hotter than before, and the heat is so harsh,” said Lydia, an elderly resident, as she stepped out of her car to enter a bank on Tuesday. At a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Palau’s One-Stop-Shop last week, one reporter nearly fainted due to the intense heat and humidity.
The report confirms these personal accounts, stating that “on average, between 2019 and 2023, there was a 10-day increase in exposure to health-threatening heat per person compared to 2000-2004.”
The heat is not only impacting health but also taking a toll on Palau’s economy. Prolonged heat exposure led to a significant loss of work hours across various sectors, including agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and services.
“In 2023, Palau lost 1.8 million work hours due to summer heat exposure, resulting in income losses equivalent to approximately 2.6% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP),” the report stated.
The service sector was particularly hard hit, with work hours lost due to heat increasing by 150% from 2004-2023 compared to 1991-2000. The report cited heat exposure as a key factor limiting labor productivity.
Speaking at the Development Symposium on November 21, Senator Dr. Stevenson Kuartei emphasized the urgency of addressing these challenges. In his keynote address, he called for health to be prioritized as a key pillar in Palau’s development framework.
“These findings underline the urgency of strengthening local health systems and adapting to climate change,” the report stated. “These actions will help build healthier, more resilient populations.”
The Lancet Countdown is an international collaboration that monitors the health impacts of climate change and assesses global progress in meeting commitments under the Paris Agreement.