UN chief appeals for global action to tackle deadly extreme heat
António Guterres calls extreme heat “the new abnormal” as he urges countries to step up protection of vulnerable populations
Health
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Migrant workers suffer heat stress during Ramadan in Arabian Gulf
Muslims find it hard to reconcile fasting with working outdoors in temperatures of over 35C, as heatwaves become increasingly common
‘The state doesn’t want to know’: Doctors raise alarm on children’s health crisis in Chile’s copper heartland
Autism and cancer cases are soaring in Chile linked to pollution from copper mining critical for the energy transition, doctors say
Flooding and drought fuels mental health crisis in Kenya
Many Kenyans are suffering post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety after being hit by extreme weather, but lack access to mental health services
Air pollution linked to 2.7 million premature births a year
Policymakers should tackle particulates at source to prevent infant deaths and lifelong disabilities, say researchers
Medical journal the Lancet to launch Planetary Health title
Influential publisher is raising the profile of links between climate change and public health
Warmer winters do not mean fewer deaths – study
NEWS: New research unpicks theory that mortality rates will drop in winter months as planet heats up
Stop coal to preserve health gains, says Lancet Commission
NEWS: Dangerous climate change from coal power emissions will set back public health 50 years, international expert panel finds
WHO calls for clean energy to tackle air pollution
NEWS: UN health body adopts “landmark resolution” to tackle toxic particles from sources like coal plants and diesel engines
European air pollution has deadly trillion-dollar price tag – WHO
NEWS: Related deaths and diseases cost European economies $1.6 trillion a year, World Health Organization finds, calling on leaders to enact curbs
WHO warns of climate impact on tropical disease spread
NEWS: UN health body calls for more government funds to slow spread of malaria, dengue and other mosquito-borne viruses
German heart disease deaths from heatwaves to rise fivefold
News: By the end of the century, five times as many Germans could die of heart disease triggered by high temperatures
WHO should declare climate change a “health emergency”
NEWS: The British Medical Journal says Ebola deaths will “pale into insignificance” compared to mayhem caused by global warming
Declare climate change health emergency, say charities
BLOG: Fifteen health charities say climate change is a health emergency, and health organisations should divest from fossil fuels
Why health and climate experts must work together
COMMENT: Using climate knowledge to manage health risks saves lives
WHO urges action on climate change to protect health
NEWS: First ever global climate and health conference highlights twin benefits of action on air pollution
Why Australia PM Tony Abbott’s climate policy is toxic
COMMENT: Physical and mental health are at risk from climate change, warns professor in plea to Australian government
6 ways climate change threatens health – and one way it probably doesn’t
ANALYSIS: From dengue fever to depression, we look at the health risks from climate change
Obama appeals to health benefits of acting on climate
NEWS: President believes cutting pollution levels and deaths from car and power emissions could mobilise public support
85% of Filipinos say they are feeling effects of climate change
Eight out of ten of Filipinos are being personally impacted by climate change, including extreme weather events and health problems
Health impacts will hit climate migrants even harder
Climate change is forcing displacement and migration now says Jonny Elliot, and the health impacts will make the situation worse
Burning coal costs the EU €43 billion a year
Coal power plants in Europe should be banned by 2040 as their emissions cause high levels of sickness, health campaigners warn
Energy shortages depriving one billion from healthcare access
Report from NGO Practical Action calls for investment in small-scale renewables and off-grid technologies to be increased
COP18: Making the link between women’s health and climate change
Boosting women’s right and access to reproductive health services is better for them and for the planet, argues Isobel Braithwaite.