News

Climate crisis deepens risks to global health amid insufficient political action

An International report warns that current environmental policies are steering the world toward a dangerous warming scenario; impacts are already straining health systems, economies, and vulnerable populations.

The intensification of extreme climate events, combined with slow political responses, is consolidating a scenario of growing risks to public health on a global scale. This is the main conclusion of the new report released ahead of international discussions on climate and resilience. The document highlights that, despite isolated advances, the lack of effective policies and failure to meet environmental targets is placing the planet on a “dangerous path.”

According to the report, recent transformations reveal how the climate crisis is translating into direct consequences for human health—from deaths caused by extreme heat and air pollution to the spread of infectious diseases and the loss of vital infrastructure. At the same time, economic pressures, geopolitical conflicts, and social inequalities hinder the adoption of large-scale solutions.

Global warming accelerates health impacts already being felt in the present

Data indicate that recent heatwaves have broken historical records, increasing risks of dehydration, heatstroke, and mortality, especially among the elderly, children, and exposed workers. Regions once considered moderate are experiencing extreme temperatures, putting pressure on health systems that were not prepared for such conditions.

Additionally, air pollution remains one of the main drivers of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, worsened by wildfires, droughts, and industrial emissions. The report also highlights the rise in infections transmitted by vectors (such as dengue, malaria, and West Nile virus), driven by the geographic expansion of mosquitoes in warmer climates.

Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and destructive

Typhoons, floods, prolonged droughts, and wildfires have become more intense in recent years across the globe. The document reports human and material losses reaching into the billions, exposing the growing impact on critical infrastructure: hospitals, water supply, transportation, and power grids.

Low-income countries suffer disproportionately, with reduced capacity to adapt and recover after disasters, intensifying pre-existing inequalities.

Health systems are unprepared for the pace of change

Hospitals and clinics are recording increased admissions linked to climate-aggravated illnesses such as asthma, allergies, and cardiovascular problems. However, most health systems do not have effective plans to handle the growing demand.

The report warns that without immediate investments in resilience and infrastructure, systems may reach breaking points in the coming decades.

Governments fail to align policies with the severity of the emergency

Although there are relevant initiatives in clean energy and climate agreements, the report notes that:

• global emissions remain above what is required to limit warming to 1.5°C;

• adaptation plans are advancing slowly, without clear targets;

• mitigation measures are often delayed due to economic or political pressures;

• fossil fuel subsidies remain high, contradicting international commitments.

The analysis reinforces that the gap between rhetoric and implementation remains wide, creating a scenario in which population vulnerability tends to increase.

Central recommendation: treat the climate crisis as a public health emergency

The report concludes that the global response needs a paradigm shift. The environmental crisis should be addressed far beyond simply an environmental or economic challenge, but rather as one of the greatest health threats of the century.

Among the recommendations are:

• integrating climate and health in high-level public policies;

• funding resilient infrastructure;

• protecting vulnerable populations with specific adaptation plans;

• accelerating the energy transition;

• creating international cooperation and monitoring mechanisms.

A warning with immediate implications

The central message of the report is unequivocal: global warming is already harming millions of people today, not just in the future. The absence of rapid, coordinated responses could amplify health, economic, and social risks for decades.

The vulnerability analysis presented in the document will serve as the basis for new governmental decisions and multilateral discussions in the coming months.

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Video

Why do the U.S. and Brazil build their houses in opposite ways?

The difference between Brazilian and American homes is evident: the U.S. operates with wood-frame and drywall; Brazil operates with brick and concrete. This distinction, often treated as a matter of taste or culture, is the direct result of material bases, productive structures, and economic models that evolved in divergent ways.

The U.S. built its residential environment on the abundance of wood, industrial standardization, and the speed demanded by financial capital. Brazil structured its model on the availability of clay, cement, and abundant labor, shaping a more artisanal process that adapts to irregular income and self-construction.

These differences did not emerge by chance. They stem from resources, technologies, labor relations, financing, and ideologies that shaped two complete and contrasting systems of space production.

Want to dive deeper into the topic?

Watch our full video on this subject and learn more about how each country arrived at its model, why these models persist, and what structural contradictions limit both today!

Disclaimer: The video is in Brazilian Portuguese, but simultaneous translation and subtitles are available in multiple languages.