health
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World held hostage by reliance on fossil fuels, Christiana Figueres warns — and climate health impacts are ‘mother of all injustices’
Former UN climate chief to co-chair Lancet Commission examining how sea-level rise is reshaping health, well-being, and inequality.
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Do high temperatures and pollution contribute to suicide risk?
A University of Utah study suggests knowing the suicide risk could improve policies and save lives.
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London, San Francisco and Beijing achieve ‘remarkable reductions’ in air pollution
Cycle lanes, electric cars and other interventions have helped 19 global cities slash levels of pollutants by more than 20%.
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What happens to the human body in 49C heat? Australians are finding out
Doctors warn there are biological limits to temperatures we can survive, and exposure to extreme heat can provoke a heart attack.
Newsletter
Nicholas Kristof: Climate change’s overlooked impacts on daily life
Rising global temperatures are quietly affecting human health, education, and behavior, not just fueling apocalyptic scenarios.
In short:
- Extreme heat is linked to more accidents, suicides, and violent crimes, as well as worse academic performance.
- Wildfires, exacerbated by climate change, are causing widespread air pollution, leading to thousands of premature deaths yearly.
- Rising temperatures disproportionately affect disadvantaged groups, worsening inequality in education and health.
Key quote:
“The familiar climate catastrophe framing may be missing some of the most important features of the real climate change story.”
— R. Jisung Park, economist at the University of Pennsylvania
Why this matters:
Climate change’s incremental effects are already taking a toll on human well-being. Focusing solely on catastrophic outcomes risks overlooking the current, tangible harm caused by even modest warming, especially among vulnerable populations.
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California music festival linked to rise in fungal infections
At least 19 people have contracted valley fever, a fungal infection that can sometimes be fatal, after attending a music festival in Southern California this past May.
In short:
- Valley fever is caused by inhaling Coccidioides, a fungus found in soil in the US Southwest.
- Of the 19 confirmed cases from the festival, eight were hospitalized.
- California has seen a sharp rise in valley fever cases, fueled by climate change and soil disturbances.
Key quote:
“We’re preparing for another possible increase in valley fever cases in the coming months, and we want Californians to know the signs and symptoms to detect it early.”
— Dr. Tomás Aragón, state public health officer
Why this matters:
Valley fever poses a growing health risk as climate change makes areas in the US Southwest more favorable for the fungus. Public awareness is key to early detection and treatment, especially as the number of infections continues to rise.
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Phoenix endures unprecedented 100 consecutive days of 100-degree heat
Phoenix hit 100 degrees for the 100th straight day, shattering the previous record of 76 days in 1993 and highlighting the intensifying heat in the Southwest.
Ian Livingston, Erin Patrick O'Connor, and Naema Ahmed report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Phoenix set a new record of 100 consecutive days over 100 degrees, surpassing the previous streak by over three weeks.
- Vulnerable groups, including outdoor workers and the unhoused, are at greater risk, with heat-related deaths on the rise.
- The city's average summer temperature has risen 8-9 degrees since the late 1800s, driven by greenhouse gas emissions and urbanization.
Key quote:
“I’ve been homeless for 10 years. I can’t do another summer out here. No way.”
— Ron Wishon, Phoenix homeless resident
Why this matters:
This extreme heat threatens public health, especially for those without adequate shelter. As urbanization and climate change intensify, cities like Phoenix could face even hotter, more dangerous summers.
Related EHN coverage:
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