Confronting Climate Change: 4 Urgent Issues Impacting Our Environment and Elderly Community

Threats from climate change are real and immediate. From ancient microbes waking in melting glaciers to toxic pollutants released by flooding, the dangers are now. The Frontiers Report 2025 by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) brings attention to crucial issues: legacy pollution, melting glacier microbes, dam removal, and climate risks for an ageing population. These problems are interconnected, and if we don’t act, they could escalate quickly.

UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen emphasizes the importance of taking action. She warns that threats to communities, nature, and economies will only increase if we do nothing.

Melting Glacier Microbes

Climate scientists warn that many glaciers might not survive this century. If the melting continues, communities downstream could face floods and germs from previously frozen bacteria and viruses. While most microbes in ice are inactive, some can come back to life as temperatures rise. Research in this area is crucial. Understanding these microorganisms can help us learn about climate history and could lead to new medical therapies.

Dismantling Dams

In Colombia, river levels have dropped dramatically, impacting access to clean water and food. This situation has caused 130 schools to shut down and increased health risks among children. The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that over 420,000 children are now out of school in Brazil, Colombia, and Peru due to drought. Local communities are increasingly working to remove dams and restore river ecosystems. When barriers are eliminated, rivers can heal, but we must also address other issues like pollution and climate change. Effective strategies for restoration will be key for the future.

Risks for the Elderly

Older adults face heightened risks with climate change. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) predicts more extreme weather, which disproportionately affects the elderly. As the number of seniors rises—from 10% in 2024 to 16% by 2050—many will be in cities with higher temperatures and pollution. We need to come up with plans to protect this vulnerable group as their risks from climate impacts increase.

Legacy Pollutants

Flooding has severely impacted communities worldwide, revealing another danger: legacy pollutants. Past industrial actions left chemicals buried underground. Floods can disturb these toxins, putting communities at risk. Examples include the 2010 floods in Pakistan and Hurricane Harvey in 2017, where floodwaters stirred up harmful sediments. Solutions must include examining these risks, creating natural flood protectors, and investing in cleaning contaminated areas.

Climate change’s impact isn’t just an issue for the future—it’s here, right now. Comprehensive strategies are essential to protect our health, nature, and economies from these growing threats.

For further insights, read the full Frontiers Report.

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