We’ve all heard about climate change’s effect on our planet, but what about its catastrophic impact on human health?
Climate change is expected to cause an estimated USD$2-4 billion in direct damage costs to health by the year 2030, according to the World Health Organisation. But the human health toll is more devastating.
Increasingly frequent heatwaves, storms, bushfires, hurricanes and floods can cause death and injury. The smoke from bushfires contributes to respiratory illness and premature death, especially in busy cities.
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Already, 37 percent of heat-related deaths can be attributed to human-induced climate change—a figure that will likely rise along with temperatures.
As the latest Global Burden of Disease study revealed, heat and air pollution have become bigger problems in many parts of the world since 1990:
Extreme weather events also spread disease. Changing temperature and weather patterns can create conditions for waterborne or foodborne illnesses such as cholera, and vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever to thrive. The impact of these weather disasters on food security can be devastating.
With crops impacted by changing weather and drinking water rendered unsafe, climate change can lead to malnutrition. Malnourished children have a higher risk of death from common childhood illnesses such as malaria. Young children also bear the brunt of foodborne diseases: Children under five also account for 30 percent of foodborne fatalities.
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