“Climate Change and Health: Key Facts and Urgent Need for Action”
Climate change is not just a distant threat looming in the future; it is already having a profound impact on human health worldwide. The key facts are alarming – 3.6 billion people live in areas highly susceptible to climate change, and between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year from undernutrition, malaria, diarrhoea, and heat stress alone. The direct damage costs to health are estimated to be between US$ 2-4 billion per year by 2030.
The impacts of climate change on health are wide-ranging and severe. Extreme weather events such as heatwaves, storms, floods, and wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense, leading to increased risks of death, noncommunicable diseases, infectious diseases, and health emergencies. Vulnerable populations, including women, children, ethnic minorities, poor communities, migrants, and those with underlying health conditions, are disproportionately affected by these climate-sensitive health risks.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) warns that climate risks are appearing faster and will become more severe sooner than previously expected. Low-income countries and small island developing states bear the brunt of these impacts, despite contributing minimally to global emissions. The report highlights the urgent need for action to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C to avert catastrophic health impacts and prevent millions of climate change-related deaths.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has outlined a comprehensive response to address the health impacts of climate change. This includes promoting actions to reduce carbon emissions and improve health, building climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable health systems, and protecting health from the wide range of impacts of climate change. WHO is also leading efforts to raise awareness of climate change’s health implications, provide evidence and monitoring, and build capacity in countries to address climate-related health challenges.
It is clear that urgent action is needed to mitigate the health impacts of climate change and protect vulnerable populations. The time to act is now, before irreversible damage is done to human health and well-being. By prioritizing health equity, promoting sustainable practices, and investing in climate-resilient health systems, we can work towards a healthier and more sustainable future for all.