Geneva – In a recent multi-agency report coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), experts have underscored the escalating health risks posed by the rapid warming of the planet, emphasizing the pivotal role of climate services in mitigating these threats.

According to World Meteorological Organization, climate change is poised to undo decades of progress made in health and well-being, with the greatest impact being felt in the most vulnerable communities. The report, which enlisted contributions from over 30 partners, calls for the strategic delivery of tailored climate information and services to bolster the health sector against the onslaught of extreme weather, deteriorating air quality, changing patterns of infectious diseases, and increased food and water insecurity.

Prof. Petteri Taalas, WMO Secretary-General, warned of the intensifying challenges as practically the entire planet has been subjected to heatwaves this year. The emergence of El Niño in 2023 is likely to shatter temperature records, fuelling more extreme heat across various regions. He advocated for enhanced investments and collaborations to maximize the utility of climate science and services in supporting health partners during these unprecedented climatic changes.

The report sheds light on how integrated climate-health initiatives are making tangible differences, presenting case studies from around the globe. These include early warning systems for extreme temperatures, pollen monitoring to aid those with allergies, and satellite surveillance to track climate-sensitive diseases.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, identified the climate crisis as a health crisis, stressing the need for high-quality climate services to become more accessible to the health sector.

Statistics within the report reveal a concerning disparity: while nearly three-quarters of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services provide climate data to health sectors, less than one-quarter of Ministries of Health utilize meteorological information for monitoring climate-sensitive health risks.

The significance of early warnings is underscored by projections that the frequency of medium-to-large-scale disaster events could reach an average of 1.5 per day by 2030. Mortality rates in areas with inadequate early warning systems are eight times higher than those with substantial coverage. Notably, heatwaves, the deadliest form of extreme weather, have been grossly underestimated, with actual mortality rates potentially being 30 times higher than reported.

The WMO report also connects climate change with increased food insecurity, noting a 29% increase in land affected by severe drought, which, coupled with heatwaves, contributed to 98 million more people facing food insecurity in 2020 compared to averages from 1981-2010 in 103 countries.

Further exacerbating public health challenges are infectious diseases like dengue, now the world’s fastest-spreading vector-borne disease, and malaria, which sees prolonged transmission seasons due to climate change.

The document concludes that protecting health from climate impacts must be a priority, requiring improved access to high-quality climate information for sound decision-making. Yet, only a fraction of NMHSs currently provide climate services at full capacity. The need for transformational change in institutional development and integration across the health and climate sectors is acute.

As part of its response, the WMO’s World Meteorological Congress in 2023 has endorsed a decade-long strategy to advance integrated climate, environment, and health science and services, in partnership with WHO and other health allies.

To address the immediate challenges and prepare for future shocks, more investments in the health sector’s capabilities are essential. However, current financial support for health-centered projects remains negligible.

The report also presents success stories from various regions, demonstrating the benefits of climate services for health, including early warning systems and mobile apps for managing heatwaves and air pollution, enhanced disease surveillance, and resilience-building measures in vulnerable communities.

The WMO continues its commitment as the United Nations System’s authoritative voice on weather, climate, and water, with efforts to bridge climate services gaps and enhance adaptation strategies globally.

For more information on this critical intersection of climate and health, media contacts include Clare Nullis, WMO media officer, reachable at cnullis@wmo.int or via the media@wmo.int email address.