Climate change is causing a global health crisis that has the potential to be as deadly as some of history’s worst plagues. Unlike past epidemics caused by a single virus or bacteria, the health threats linked to climate change are multifaceted and complex. There is a growing body of evidence that climate-related illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, diarrhea, and vector-borne diseases, have already claimed millions of lives, and this number is expected to rise as temperatures increase.
A recent report from the World Economic Forum and consulting firm Oliver Wyman projects that rising temperatures will put immense strain on global healthcare systems in the coming years. It estimates that climate change will lead to 14.5 million additional deaths by 2050 and result in $12.5 trillion in economic losses. The report also warns that healthcare systems will need to provide an additional $1.1 trillion worth of treatment by mid-century due to climate change.
The impact of climate change on health will be felt most severely in the Global South, where healthcare resources are limited, and governments face challenges in responding to climate impacts such as floods, heat waves, and storms. According to the report, central Africa and southern Asia are particularly vulnerable to intensifying climate health threats and limited resources.
The report identifies six weather events, including floods, droughts, wildfires, sea-level rise, tropical storms, and heat waves, as the most likely triggers of negative health outcomes. It warns of a significant burden of indirect impacts, outweighing the direct effects of these events. For example, the report highlights that floods can lead to long-term consequences such as infectious diseases, respiratory illnesses, and mental health issues.
The authors of the report emphasize the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to prevent further health consequences of climate change. They also call for governments to treat climate change as a public health crisis and allocate resources to address the risks posed to health.
In the absence of resources in developing countries, the report suggests that wealthy nations, foundations, and private companies step in to fill the void. It highlights the need for increased funding to make hospitals and clinics more resilient to climate change, stockpile essential medicines and vaccines, collect data on how climate change affects public health, and educate communities about the risks.
In an effort to address these concerns, a draft decision on climate change and health has been proposed by several countries and may be adopted by the 77th World Health Assembly. The draft calls for investment in climate and health assessments, disease surveillance monitoring, and international cooperation on the issue of climate change and human health.
Overall, the report emphasizes the importance of global collaboration to address the growing health threats posed by climate change and suggests that 2024 may bring significant progress in responding to this crisis.
