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Tropical deforestation is associated with considerable heat-related mortality
C L Reddington1, C Smith1, E W Butt1
1Institute for Climate and Atmospheric Science, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
Nature Climate Change
|September 11, 2025
Summary
Tropical deforestation causes local warming, leading to an estimated 28,000 heat-related deaths annually. This warming impacts millions, particularly in Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Americas, exacerbating climate change health risks.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Public Health
- Climate Science
Background:
- Tropical deforestation contributes to local warming.
- This warming poses significant human health risks, including heat stress and reduced safe outdoor working hours.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the association between deforestation-induced local warming and heat-related mortality across tropical regions.
- To assess the number of people exposed to warming due to deforestation and identify high-risk areas.
Main Methods:
- A pan-tropical assessment utilizing satellite data from 2001-2020.
- Analysis of population exposure and calculation of heat-related mortality rates attributed to local warming from deforestation.
Main Results:
- Deforestation is linked to approximately 28,000 heat-related deaths per year.
- Over 345 million people were exposed to local warming (0.27°C) due to tropical deforestation between 2001-2020.
- Southeast Asia, tropical Africa, and the Americas show the highest heat-related mortality rates in deforested areas.
Conclusions:
- Tropical deforestation significantly contributes to local warming and heat-related mortality.
- Deforestation-driven warming accounts for over a third of total climate-related heat mortality in affected regions.
- Mitigating deforestation is crucial for reducing heat-related health risks and addressing climate change impacts.
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