In December 2020, The Lancet magazine published The Lancet Health and Climate Change Countdown 2020, with the latest data on the health impact of climate change. The report summarizes research findings from many disciplines, including climate science, geography, engineering, energy, food and transportation specialists, economics, sociology, political science, data science, public health and medicine on 43 indicators across five sections, namely, climate change impacts, exposures, and vulnerabilities; adaptation, planning, and resilience for health; mitigation actions and health co-benefits; economics and finance; and public and political engagement. 

In recent years, Japan has also observed an increase in extreme weather events with tremendous impact on public health and infrastructure. Since Japan relies on imports for food and nutrition security, its commitment to global climate change measures is essential. Through the research program on collection, analysis and dissemination of information for grasping trends of international agriculture, forestry and fisheries, JIRCAS makes recommendations on the direction of strategic technological development necessary to achieve international agenda including the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement, and the development of global monitoring indicators.

The Lancet report is availale at:

Nick Watts MA et al. The 2020 report of The Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: responding to converging crises https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)32290-X/fulltext

Contributor: IIYAMA Miyuki (Research Strategy Office)