Climate in Danger, Health at Risk: Understanding the Health-Climate Nexus

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Human health, therefore, is affected by physical, chemical and biological elements of environmental and social factors. These play a critical role in health-related outcomes of a society and a country.

Climate change is already having an impact on health in a variety of ways, such as: increased incidence of death and illness from increasingly common extreme weather events (heatwaves, storms and floods), food system disruptions and mental health issues.

Extreme weather events have exacerbated food insecurity, air pollution, access to clean water, population migration and the transmission patterns of vector-borne illnesses. The health effects of these disruptions may include increased respiratory, cardiovascular and infectious disease; injuries, heat stress and mental health problems.

Further, many social determinants of human health, such as livelihoods, equality and access to health care, as well as social support structures, are being disrupted by climate change. The most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups are disproportionately affected by climate-related health concerns.

Scale of the Catastrophe

Approximately 3.3–3.6bn people around the world live in contexts that are highly vulnerable to climate change, as per the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2022. Between 2000 and 2016, the number of people exposed to heat waves increased by 125mn. An additional 250,000 fatalities are estimated to result each year between 2030 and 2050 due to climate change.

In India, a 1°C rise in temperature will lead to a 3% loss in gross domestic product (GDP), according to the Overseas Development Institute, a think tank headquartered in London. This is expected to increase malnutrition and related health disorders such as child stunting—with the poor likely to be affected the most. As per the World Bank, child stunting in India is projected to increase by 35% by 2050 compared to a scenario without climate change.

Climate change is also envisaged to increase the frequency and magnitude of extreme weather events. And due to frequent and severe extreme weather events, health risks from a variety of other climate-related hazards such as food-borne, water-borne and vector-borne diseases and poor air quality are likely to rise.

Case for Climate Justice

Climate change knows no borders. It affects every part of the environment and culture. However, not all communities are affected equally by climate change. Marginalised groups frequently suffer the most from its negative consequences.

Residents of low-income areas are frequently clustered in urban heat islands, which are characterised by a dearth of green space and a larger concentration of concrete buildings.

These regions endure more intense heat waves as global temperatures rise, which increases the occurrence of heat-related ailments like heatstroke, dehydration and heat exhaustion among locals who lack access to adequate cooling resources.

To address these discrepancies, a multidimensional strategy is needed that integrates actions to address social and economic injustices with methods for climate change impact reduction and adaptation. Prioritising the needs of marginalised communities in the battle against climate change and ensuring that they have the access and resources required to safeguard their health and well-being are essential if we want to create a more resilient and equitable society.

The Bangladesh Example

In Bangladesh, marginalised communities—particularly those living in low-lying coastal regions—have been disproportionately impacted by climate change. The coastal settlement of Gabura, which is home to the Munda people, serves as one example.

In the past, agriculture and fishing were the Mundas’ main sources of income. But now, their crops have been destroyed and their freshwater sources ruined by cyclones that occur frequently and saltwater intrusion brought on by climate change.

The Munda community now faces more health concerns as a result. Malnutrition, water-borne illnesses and increased susceptibility to vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue have all been linked to a lack of access to clean drinking water. Their living situations have been stressed by displacement, and their health issues have been made worse by inadequate shelter, sanitary conditions and health-care facilities.