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Climate

Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time, affecting the places we live, the systems we rely on and the future we are building for generations to come. And at its heart, climate change is also a health issue.

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Rising global temperatures, extreme weather events and shifting disease patterns are already affecting people’s health and wellbeing. More frequent and intense heatwaves increase the risk of heat-related illness and death, while bushfires and worsening air quality affect respiratory and cardiovascular health. A changing climate is also increasing risks to food and water security, contributing to the spread of infectious diseases and placing greater pressure on health systems and communities responding to climate-related disasters.

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Between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths each year from undernutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and heat stress alone. These impacts are not felt equally, with communities already experiencing disadvantage often facing the greatest risks and having fewer resources to adapt.

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Caring about climate change means caring about the health of our families, our communities and people around the world. The scale of the challenge is profound, but together we can build a strong, united voice for the action needed to protect people and planet.

“Climate change is the single biggest health threat facing humanity.”

World Health Organisation, 2021

The link between climate change and health

How we take action

“The climate crisis is upon us, powered by our addiction to fossil fuels. The consequences for our health are real and often devastating.”
- Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization

Climate Publications

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