Climate change isn’t just about rising sea levels or melting ice. It deeply impacts human health, a fact that isn’t always obvious. Researchers in the Climate-Health Cluster, supported by the EU, are tackling this critical issue. They are focused on understanding health risks and developing strategies to protect vulnerable groups as temperatures climb.
The team is creating protocols to help people during extreme heat, emphasizing the need to make health systems more responsive to climate challenges. “Many people don’t connect climate change with their health,” says Professor Cathryn Tonne from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health. She leads the CATALYSE project, a five-year initiative dedicated to raising awareness about these risks.
Professor Tonne explains that abstract terms like “net zero” can make the crisis seem distant. By linking climate change directly to health issues, they hope to spark more public interest and action. “If people realize that climate change affects their lives, they may be more inclined to respond,” she adds.
Communication is key. Climate messaging has evolved, but it can often confuse rather than clarify. For example, wood heating was once seen as eco-friendly, only to later reveal its air quality issues. Similarly, diesel vehicles were initially promoted for their climate benefits until pollution data suggested otherwise.
Tonne believes framing climate change as a health issue could lead to more significant policy engagement. If countries prioritize health benefits alongside environmental ones, we might see faster action on climate policies. The challenge remains: how to effectively convey these connections to the public.
One pressing concern is heat stress, particularly in hotter regions like the Mediterranean. Recent estimates show that Europe faced over 61,000 heat-related deaths in the summer of 2022 and more than 47,000 in 2023. The World Health Organization reports that climate change could cause an additional quarter of a million deaths annually between 2030 and 2050. To combat this, researchers are collaborating with meteorological agencies to create early warning systems, sending alerts to at-risk groups, such as elderly individuals.
Outdoor workers also face increased risks during heat waves. In Europe, around 1 million seasonal outdoor workers, especially immigrants, are prone to heat-related illnesses. CATALYSE researchers are working with organizations from countries like Spain and Italy to understand these risks better and recommend protective measures. “The conditions these workers endure are harsh, and extreme heat amplifies the problem,” shares Tonne.
In regions like Almeria, Spain, known as the “orchard of Europe,” workers often live in inadequate housing with poor ventilation. Daniel Izuzquiza from the SJM-Jesuit Migrant Service emphasizes that many workers face very high temperatures both at work and while living in overcrowded conditions. “We need to advocate for better living conditions and access to essentials like drinking water,” he says.
For Tonne and her team, the goal is to make the impact of climate change on health more visible and straightforward. It’s about framing climate action as an investment in public health. The more we connect these issues, the more support we can gather for policies that protect both our planet and our health.
As society grapples with these challenges, the key takeaway is that safeguarding the environment is also about safeguarding everyone’s well-being.
For a deeper understanding of climate change’s impact on health, check out the World Health Organization’s insights on this critical topic here.
