Climate crisis, cities, and health

More than ever, the climate crisis is becoming a health crisis. An estimated 5 million people globally die each year because of suboptimal temperatures, with a large proportion of heat-related mortality (37%) attributable to human-induced climate change. The last few years have been the hottest on record and high temperatures claimed over 60 000 lives in Europe alone in 2022, with cities the most affected and temperatures in cities projected to increase. Urban heat islands that result from excessive asphalt and concrete in cities contribute to an increase in temperature and premature mortality. Just over half of the world's population (56%) now lives in cities and that percentage is expected to reach nearly 70% by 2050.

The Conference of the Parties (COP) had its first health day at COP28 and over 120 countries have endorsed the COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate and Health. This historic and important event recognises and provides evidence that the climate crisis is also a health crisis and that people's health can benefit from climate action. The Declaration promotes the health arguments for climate action and health co-benefits of mitigation and discusses the strengthening climate resilience of health systems. Currently, the impacts of the climate crisis already lead to large health burdens and health-care costs. Therefore, climate action is also about preventing premature deaths and disease and reducing health-care costs.

Read more in the Lancet