On Earth Day, look at how climate change is affecting health

By 2050, climate change will put tremendous pressure on global healthcare systems, causing 14.5 million deaths and $12.5 trillion in economic losses. This is the warning issued in the report “Quantifying the Impact of Climate Change on Human Health” released by the World Economic Forum and Oliver Wyman in January 2024.

As we celebrate Earth Day, it is important to reflect on the beauty of our planet and the challenges it faces, particularly those of climate change. The impact of climate change on the environment is widely discussed, but its impact on human health is substantial and often overlooked.

Here, we delve into the profound impacts of climate change on our well-being and explore why addressing these issues is vital to the health of the planet and all its inhabitants. Five key issues related to climate change are already affecting human health.

Climate change is exacerbating extreme weather events such as hurricanes, heat waves, floods and droughts. Forty million people in Africa live under severe drought conditions, and droughts are intensifying in temperate regions. Nearly 40% of the population in 48 US states and 17% of the European population are facing drought, threatening food and water security.

These extreme weather events can have devastating consequences for human health, leading to injuries, displacement and even death. For example, an increase in heat waves could exacerbate heat-related illnesses and strain health care systems. Heat waves also bring huge economic losses. It is estimated that heat waves could cause $7.1 trillion in lost productivity by 2050.

The burning of fossil fuels and other human activities creates air pollution, which is exacerbated by climate change. Wildfires increasingly make headlines because they cause extensive property damage and loss of life and livestock, but they also contribute to air pollution. Poor air quality is linked to respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis and lung cancer. In addition, pollutants such as particulate matter and ozone can worsen cardiovascular health and lead to heart disease and stroke. By 2060, air pollution could cause 6 to 9 million premature deaths each year.

Climate change affects the distribution and behavior of disease-carrying vectors such as mosquitoes and ticks. Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns have created favorable conditions for the spread of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, Lyme disease and Zika virus, allowing the spread of milder and previously less affected climates such as Europe and the United States.

These diseases pose a significant threat to public health, especially in vulnerable communities with limited access to health care. By 2050, an additional 500 million people may be at risk from vector-borne diseases.

Changing weather patterns disrupt agricultural systems, leading to reduced crop yields, food shortages and compromised food security. By 2050, some 80 million people in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Central America will be at risk of hunger.

Additionally, extreme weather events can contaminate water sources, leading to waterborne diseases such as cholera and dysentery. Food and water insecurity not only harms physical health, but also leads to malnutrition and widening socioeconomic disparities.

Disasters and environmental degradation caused by climate change can also have an impact on mental health. The loss of homes, livelihoods and communities caused by natural disasters can lead to psychological distress, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Furthermore, the uncertainty and existential threats posed by climate change may lead to ecological anxiety and feelings of helplessness.

If climate change continues to affect human health through these five aspects, it is estimated that by 2050, the cumulative total cost of the health care system to provide treatment for diseases caused by climate change may exceed US$1.1 trillion. Costs were reduced by nearly half in areas where hospitalization and treatment costs are higher.And, with climate-related disasters disproportionately affecting Asia, it must also bear a substantial financial and medical burden

Addressing the health impacts of climate change requires urgent action at individual, community and global levels. Shifting to renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting permaculture and investing in resilient healthcare infrastructure are key steps to mitigate these challenges. Additionally, prioritizing adaptation strategies and strengthening public health preparedness can help communities withstand and recover from climate-related hazards.

This Earth Day, let’s recognize the intrinsic connection between the health of our planet and the health of our people. By taking decisive action to slow climate change and protect the environment, we can safeguard the well-being of current and future generations, and protect the beauty and diversity of life on Earth. Together we can build a healthier, more sustainable future for all.

These workstreams and activities focus on climate change mitigation and the transition to net-zero conditions. However, it is recognized that historically there has been significant underinvestment in the health impacts of climate change, with only 0.5% of multilateral climate finance going to protect or improve human health.

The Forum’s Climate and Health Initiative was launched in early 2023 ahead of the first COP meeting, with a dedicated health day aimed at addressing the lack of attention to health.

The initiative’s mission is to help build a healthier and more resilient society to address the health impacts of climate change through multi-stakeholder and cross-sector collaboration and systems transformation. The initiative aims to achieve this goal through three strategic pillars:

Convene and amplify voices to advance a unified global approach by building a multi-sector community of thought leaders to conduct high-impact outreach and engagement activities.

Map research and data on the health impacts of climate change, with a focus on identifying the most critical gaps in understanding and how partners can address these knowledge gaps.

Identify and accelerate evidence-based approaches to mitigate the health impacts of climate change across sectors. Free up capital and incentivize climate and health investments.