Five Fast Facts on Climate and Health

Everything depends on our health and our health depends on a healthy planet.

Did you know that 40% of pharmaceutical products today are sourced from nature; one-third of our food supply is reliant on pollinators? These are just two of the arguments for climate and health action put forward by the World Health Organization (WHO) which has launched the COP29 special report on climate and health.

Increasingly frequent intense storms and floods that create health emergencies, heat stress, a rise in infectious disease, worsening non-communicable diseases and deteriorating mental health are some of the effects on our health. This World Economic Forum article summarizes the issues well.

So far, so pessimistic. Yet there are also paths towards progress: organizations like the World Health Organization are testing, assessing and piloting solutions to protect our health in the face of an increasingly urgent situation.

At the WHO Foundation we mobilize funding for climate and health for the solutions that we know can make a difference.

Here are our 5 top takeaway from WHO’s Report.

1) Climate changes affect even healthy populations

But people in vulnerable circumstances are hardest hit, and they have usually contributed least to greenhouse gas emissions. It exposes us to unfamiliar diseases, worsens pre- existing health issues and climate-fuelled emergencies threaten lives and livelihoods.

2) Health is an investment, not a cost

WHO estimates that 2 million lives can be saved each year and a return of US $4 in benefits for every US $1 invested in measures to mitigate the health effects of climate change.

Investments are critical in low-carbon, climate resilient health systems, as well as well-supported global health workforce to future-proof health systems. Health-specific climate funding is currently only 6% of adaptation funding and 0.5% of multilateral climate funding, highlighting the need for increased financial mobilization. WHO advocates for a shift from growth-centric economic models to well-being and circular economies that prioritize health and sustainability.

3) Change is possible

One of the proven solutions are heat-health warning systems. The Indian city of Ahmedabad introduced South Asia’s first heat action plan 10 years ago and it has since saved thousands of lives. There are now around 100 similar plans around the world, which are documented by WHO and the World Meteorological Organization in the Global Heat Health Information Network.

More than half the world’s population lives in urban areas, expected to increase to 70% by 2050. That’s why action in cities like Ahmedabad will be key to supporting healthy futures.

4) Preparation pays

By investing in renewable energy, creating climate-resilient health facilities, (including solar-powered hospitals and healthcare facilities) that are fit to withstand weather-linked emergencies and by training healthcare workers to adapt to the challenges, we can protect health workers and patients and keep systems running in the face of crisis.

5) The health sector cannot do it alone

Even though the climate crisis is escalating health problems, many of the solutions lie outside of the healthcare system so a combined, multi-sector effort is called for. These include measures to reduce fossil fuel usage (including within the healthcare industry), to reform the food production system, to increase clean household energy and designing our cities to be less polluted, greener, healthier places to live. Partnerships and collaboration across industries is vital.

The WHO Foundation works hand in hand with WHO and other health organizations to identify and fund solutions to the climate and health challenges we face today through our philanthropic and corporate partnerships.

Invest in health for all

The impact of climate change on health is central to WHO’s Investment Case which sets out its aims for the next four years – to promote, protect and provide healthcare.

WHO estimates that 40 million lives will be saved with a return on investment of US $35 in economic, health and social benefits for every one dollar invested in its work.