Health Impacts of Climate Change

KAKALI DAS

Ministers at the UN Climate Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, have been urged to set aside theatrics and focus on substantive action, as frustration mounts over the slow pace of progress.

Negotiators at COP29 are grappling with disagreements over the level of financial support industrialized nations should provide to developing countries to address the impacts of global warming.

Climate change is not only impacting the environment globally but also poses significant risks to public health. Rising temperatures and increased rainfall create conditions that facilitate the spread of dangerous diseases.

Health Impacts of Climate Change (Image: Powewrshift)

A report from Bangladesh highlights how climate change is driving the rise in dengue fever cases. While doctors anticipated patients, this year’s dengue outbreak in Dhaka has overwhelmed hospital wards. Previously, dengue cases spiked only during specific seasons, but now patients are being admitted year-round. However, this season has been particularly severe, placing immense pressure on the healthcare system and the community.

Dengue is a viral infection transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. While symptoms are typically mild, severe cases can be life-threatening.

The need to spray insecticides in Europe to combat the invasive Asian tiger mosquito, which spreads diseases like Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika, has increased as the species continues to migrate northward. This issue is no longer confined to Asia.

First identified in eight European Union countries in 2013, the Asian tiger mosquito is now fully established in 13, including France, Germany, Austria, and Hungary, with introductions in six additional countries. In 2023, dengue outbreaks were reported in Spain, France, and Italy.

Shifting rainfall patterns and rising temperatures in the United States are contributing to the expanded spread of diseases carried by certain species of ticks and mosquitoes.

Marina Romanello, Executive Director of The Lancet Countdown, stated, “People will face greater exposure, and health systems will need to manage an increased disease burden due to the spread and shifting patterns of infectious diseases. Notably, we will see new regions experiencing the impacts of disease transmission in areas once considered relatively safe.”

Extreme weather events, intensified by rising temperatures, are also impacting human health. In some regions, severe droughts have devastated crop yields, leading to widespread under-nutrition. Meanwhile, flooding can contaminate water sources, triggering outbreaks of illnesses such as diarrhea.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that between 2030 and 2050, an additional 250,000 deaths per year will occur due to health conditions related to climate change.

Maria further emphasized, “What we need to do is swiftly adapt to the high temperatures we’re already experiencing, knowing they will continue to rise inevitably, while also working to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.”

Experts warn that without action, the suffering experienced by people in Dhaka is likely to become more widespread globally.

Rob Butler, Director for Environment and Health at WHO, commented on the discussions at COP29, stating, “It’s very promising that the Azerbaijani government has placed health at the centre of the talks. There is even a dedicated day for health at COP. At the previous COP in Dubai, we also had a dedicated health day because all aspects of health are affected by climate change, including mosquito-borne diseases.

Additionally, cancers linked to air pollution, malnutrition due to disrupted food systems, and a growing mental health crisis are major concerns. Just last year, Europe saw 175,000 deaths from heat. The crisis in Europe is especially alarming, as temperatures are rising at double the global average. This is something countries must prepare for.”

How can countries in vulnerable regions adapt to climate-driven health threats and challenges? Take heat, for example. Many countries lack heat health adaptation plans, and those that do have them often find these plans underfunded.

Many of these countries have not tested their heat health action plans, because, as we know, heatwaves and extreme weather events like flooding place immense pressure on health systems, demanding resilience not only from the healthcare infrastructure but also from the community. While we test other plans, such as emergency and pandemic response plans, we seem to be falling behind in testing our heat health action plans and preparing for climate-induced extreme weather events.

We must reduce carbon emissions—it’s as simple as that. It’s beneficial for the planet and for every living being on Earth. By cutting greenhouse gases, we will not only help reduce climate change but also slow its progression.

However, if we can provide clean air, particularly to vulnerable and marginalized communities, we can make a significant impact. In Europe alone, there are 569,000 premature deaths annually due to poor air quality. This is a staggering figure, but it’s something we can change if we choose to take action on climate change and reduce emissions.

Is global climate finance addressing the scale of health risks posed by climate change? At COP28 in Dubai, the focus was on billions in investment; now, at COP29, the conversation has shifted to trillions.

G20 countries are responsible for 80% of global emissions, so the issue is a political choice. They have the power to make the decision and the financial resources to invest, but clearly, the necessary investment is not happening. If we continue on this path, the costs will increase exponentially in the coming years.

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