Every year, extreme heat causes 489,000 deaths worldwide — and those numbers are rising. As climate impacts worsen around the world, understanding how to finance healthcare systems under strain from climate change is central to Global Citizen’s goal to defeat extreme poverty. This year Global Citizen will host Global Citizen NOW: Health and Climate Financing Sessions at the margins of the 2024 United Nations General Assembly to highlight the most important voices around climate change, from indigenous activists to doctors to government officials. Ahead of this year’s Global Citizen Festival, these sessions will uplift important conversations to protect the planet with climate action from global citizens.

Climate change puts pressure on healthcare systems because rising global temperatures endanger human health, lead to extreme weather like wildfires, floods, and hurricanes, and spread infectious diseases. Extreme weather conditions are projected to lead to the closure of one in 12 — or 16,245 — hospitals worldwide by the end of the century. To safeguard human health, we need investments now that help healthcare systems adapt to climate change.

Who’s Vulnerable to Rising Temperatures?  

Extreme heat is a form of extreme weather and natural disaster that impacts human health on a global and national level by creating drought, water shortages, and limiting food supply. 

Heat is an occupational and health hazard, especially for vulnerable people, outside workers, and people lacking access to heat protection infrastructure. The World Health Organization (WHO) states heat stress is the number one cause of weather-related deaths. It can lead to increased mortality rates, stroke, worsen underlying illnesses, increase the likelihood of long-term health issues, and put pressure on emotional health.  

Extreme heat can also contribute to conditions that cause people to leave their homes and become climate refugees. It is a growing concern in urban areas and international conflict zones. As a result, climate change amplifies displacement everywhere and reinforces systemic poverty.

What Are Some Solutions?  

The health impacts of climate and heat are preventable, and local Heat Officers are providing some of the best solutions as front-line public responders to heat. According to Jane Gilbert, the world’s first Chief Heat Officer, there are three buckets of public response: 1) Urban heat island mitigation such as planting tree canopy, vegetable cover, cool pavements, and cool roofs, 2) insulating buildings, homes and shelters from heat with efficient cooling systems, and finally 3) educating the public about heat safety. It’s also important to develop an emergency heat management plan for cities and local communities, which includes understanding how to reach the most vulnerable populations. 

Doctors and healthcare professionals must also continue to lead the conversation in climate mitigation. Whether it’s extreme heat or infectious disease, health experts best understand the urgent need for a climate-resilient health care system. Concerns around climate-induced health issues are becoming more prevalent due to our government’s inability to meet climate targets, and there’s a gap in leadership and expertise that health professionals can fill. 

International organizations also play an important role in establishing standards for monitoring heat and health, and collecting quality data to be used by governments and organizations around the world.

Ultimately, the best way to mitigate the effects of climate change is to transition away from fossil fuels, whether by switching to alternative energy sources or taxing large CO2-emitting companies.  While we need to increase investment in heat and cooling infrastructure, climate mitigation, and health care, we must first work to decrease CO2 emissions through a just transition to green energy. 

Extreme heat impacts people everywhere — putting pressure on individual health, the healthcare system, water supplies, agriculture, and endangering vulnerable people worldwide. When you share your extreme heat story, we can collectively hold world leaders accountable to the net-zero goal established in the Paris Agreement. Continue taking action with Global Citizen to defend the planet and protect human health from the dangers of rising heat everywhere.