Climate change is directly contributing to humanitarian emergencies from heatwaves, wildfires, floods, tropical storms and hurricanes that are increasing in scale, frequency and intensity.
Research shows that 3.6 billion people already live in areas highly susceptible to climate change. The direct damage costs to health is estimated to be between US$2 and 4 billion per year by 2030.
Areas with weak health infrastructure – mostly in developing countries – will be more at risk.
Reducing emissions of greenhouse gases through better transport, food and energy use choices can result in very large gains for health, particularly through reduced air pollution.