Climate Crisis and Health: Urgency, Impacts, and the Path Forward

DIPAK KURMI

The annual climate negotiations have commenced in Baku, Azerbaijan, amidst an atmosphere of caution and urgency. This year’s session comes on the heels of an alarming report by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), which has indicated that 2024 is on track to become the hottest year on record. Between January and September, global temperatures have averaged around 1.54°C above pre-industrial levels, surpassing the 1.5°C threshold set by scientists and enshrined in international climate agreements as a critical limit. Although this year’s unprecedented warmth can be partly attributed to the La Niña phase, the inexorable increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide remains the primary driver of this trend, exacerbating climate change with far-reaching consequences.

The Paris Agreement, a landmark accord aimed at curbing global temperature increases, strives to keep the rise well below 2°C, while pushing for efforts to limit it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. However, the steady climb in global temperatures underscores a stark reality: despite the global consensus and periodic commitments, tangible progress remains elusive. The ongoing escalation of CO2 concentration has propelled severe climate phenomena, ranging from catastrophic rainfall and devastating floods to lethal heatwaves, persistent droughts, and rampant wildfires. Yet, the climate crisis extends beyond the immediately visible disasters. As articulated by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, climate change is “hammering health, widening inequalities, harming sustainable development, and shaking the very foundations of peace.” This pervasive and multifaceted impact underscores the magnitude of the challenge, irrespective of the anticipated discussions on finance, adaptation, and mitigation at the current climate summit.

Health Impacts: The Human Toll

One of the most profound yet often understated consequences of climate change is its toll on human health. The recent findings of The Lancet Countdown on health and climate change underscore that populations in every country now confront threats to their health and survival due to escalating climate hazards. Chief among these is the rising exposure to extreme heat. In 2023, individuals experienced, on average, an additional 50 days of dangerous heat exposure compared to a world without climate change. This spike has led to a staggering 167 per cent increase in the annual deaths of adults over the age of 65 compared to the 1990s. Moreover, the report revealed that in 31 countries, residents faced at least 100 more days of health-threatening heat than would be expected in the absence of climate change.

The physical and mental health implications of such heat exposure are considerable. Sleep quality and physical activity are both adversely impacted, leading to a decline in overall health and well-being. Outdoor workers, who make up approximately 1.6 billion people or 25.9 per cent of the global working-age population, are disproportionately affected. This demographic includes agricultural laborers, construction workers, and those engaged in informal sectors, all of whom face not only immediate health risks but also diminished productivity, which in turn impacts their economic stability and livelihoods.

The Surge in Disease Transmission

Another critical area where climate change exerts a devastating impact is in the proliferation of diseases. The warming climate, combined with extreme rainfall, droughts, shifting land use, and increased human mobility, is accelerating the spread of water-borne, vector-borne, food-borne, and air-borne diseases. Dengue, a prime example, has seen a sharp increase over the past two decades, facilitated by more favorable climatic conditions for mosquito vectors and rising urbanization. In 2023 alone, the global tally for dengue cases reached an alarming five million. Similar trends are observed in the spread of malaria; rising temperatures have expanded the transmission zones for malaria-carrying parasites like Plasmodium falciparum, with an additional 17 per cent of the world’s land area becoming suitable for transmission. Additionally, changes in the temperature and salinity of water bodies are leading to an increase in the spread of water-borne illnesses, adding another layer of complexity to the public health crisis.

The Need for Resilience and Adaptation

Given the protracted nature of climate negotiations, which have often prioritized economic interests over urgent action, there is a pressing need to develop climate-resilient health systems. However, adaptation presents its own set of challenges. One proposed solution is the expansion of air-conditioning use to combat heat stress. Yet, this approach is unsustainable due to its high costs, significant energy requirements, and the emissions it produces. The increased reliance on air-conditioning in urban environments exacerbates the ‘heat island’ effect, compounding the very problem it seeks to address. A more viable path forward involves leveraging renewable energy sources for cooling and investing in innovative, low-energy cooling technologies.

Addressing the spread of diseases like dengue requires a multifaceted approach that includes reducing vulnerability through integrated vector control measures and enhancing the responsiveness of health systems. Importantly, the global healthcare sector itself, responsible for approximately 5 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, must adopt practices that reduce its environmental footprint. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has emphasized that cities must play a pivotal role in this transition. Urban policies influence public health directly through their impact on air quality, energy use, urban design, transportation, green space allocation, housing, and food access. Therefore, a delay in transitioning to low-carbon and clean energy systems will invariably perpetuate significant health harms.

The Challenge of Climate Finance

All adaptation and mitigation efforts hinge on the availability of robust climate finance. Unfortunately, despite repeated pledges, the developed world’s promises of financial support have largely failed to materialize. The lack of substantial funding has impeded progress, leaving developing and poorer nations struggling to adapt and transition to healthier, more sustainable practices. The WHO has reiterated that “climate finance is ultimately health finance.” Investing in climate action is an investment in safeguarding essential health systems and ensuring human survival.

However, the current state of climate finance is marked by a significant gap. Funds are often repackaged as loans or debt relief, misleadingly labeled as climate funding, which fails to address the urgent need for direct financial support. To bridge this divide, a meaningful shift must occur at forums like the Baku negotiations. Without the participation of influential global leaders—including those from the US, China, Russia, France, and Brazil—the prospects for substantive progress remain slim.

Aligning Climate and Health Policies

The intrinsic connection between human health and planetary health necessitates a comprehensive alignment of climate and health policies. This alignment should focus on implementing proactive measures that can mitigate the health impacts of climate change while enhancing resilience. Policymakers must prioritize funding for climate adaptation specific to health, particularly in vulnerable regions. This includes investing in infrastructure that supports sustainable energy, fostering urban planning that reduces emissions and supports public health, and developing targeted interventions that reduce climate-related vulnerabilities.

The convergence of health and climate change is a critical issue that demands urgent action. While the world continues to debate the intricacies of climate policy, the human cost is mounting. To avert further catastrophic impacts, it is essential to reframe climate finance as a direct investment in public health and resilience. Only through decisive, well-funded action can we hope to safeguard human health and maintain the viability of ecosystems that support life on Earth.

(Email: dipakkurmiglpltd@gmail.com)