Hot Times Ahead: Big Money Moves to Fight Climate Health Crisis
Over Half a Million People Die Each Year Due to Extreme Heat
To tackle this growing problem, a group of philanthropies has pledged $300 million for research and solutions. This funding, announced at the COP30 climate talks in Brazil, aims to address:
- Heat-related deaths
- Air pollution
- Infectious diseases
Funding Details
The money will be used to:
- Gather data
- Find the best ways to invest in tackling these climate-related health risks
"We want to move beyond just fixing problems as they arise. Instead, we aim to test and validate new solutions." Estelle Willie, The Rockefeller Foundation
Brazil Launches the Belem Health Action Plan
Brazil, the host of COP30, launched the Belem Health Action Plan. This initiative:
- Encourages countries to monitor and coordinate climate-related health policies
- Aims to help countries prepare for and adapt to worsening climate impacts such as:
- Floods
- Fires
- Droughts
- Storms
- Hurricanes
The Need for More Funding
The $300 million pledge adds to the $1 billion-$2 billion already being spent on public research into climate-related health impacts. However, experts say much more funding is still needed.
Climate Change and Health Statistics
- Nearly 550,000 deaths yearly from heat-related causes worsened by climate change
- 150,000 annual deaths linked to air pollution, often from burning fossil fuels and wildfires
- Infectious diseases are on the rise, with dengue fever cases up 49% since the 1950s
Vulnerable Populations
Over 3.3 billion people, or half the world's population, are already struggling with rising heat. The most vulnerable include:
- Children
- Pregnant women
- Older people
- Outdoor workers
- Communities with fewer resources
Other Funders in the Climate and Health Funders Coalition
- The Gates Foundation
- Bloomberg Philanthropies
- IKEA Foundation
While 27 more philanthropies have joined, they have yet to commit funds.
