PIK researcher Wendt urges action against health risks from climate change

First and foremost, there are the direct consequences of heat for the human body, which can lead to illness or even death, says the head of the PIK working group on climate change and health to the AFP news agency. In addition, there is the spread of infectious diseases transmitted by insects or ticks, such as dengue or Zika fever, as well as other animal-to-human transmissions of pathogens.

Wendt also mentions "increasing respiratory diseases or asthma, more diseases of the cardiovascular system and general effects on mental health and general well-being". Further health consequences result from the effects of climate change on food security.

The number of people potentially affected is high. Wendt refers to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), according to which 3.6 billion people live in areas that are considered "highly vulnerable" to climate impacts - particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, South and Central Asia, South America and in island states. But even in Europe, up to 145,000 deaths have been attributed to extreme weather and its consequences alone over the past 40 years.

"Particularly vulnerable groups" worldwide are children, women, poor people, indigenous population groups, refugees, older people "and all those who already live under difficult health conditions", says the researcher. In Europe, people in cities are likely to be more affected than the rural population due to pollution and higher temperatures.

As countermeasures, Wendt recommends first and foremost limiting global warming itself, but also adapting better to its consequences. Options include measures that reduce the effects of heat, for example. The researcher also advises "more sustainable agriculture" and "the transition to a healthy, plant-based diet". Both have the advantage of benefiting both health and the climate.

In addition, the health sector must be strengthened due to the expected higher burdens, says Wendt. She also emphasizes the importance of a change in awareness: "We ourselves and society as a whole must see the interactions between climate, biodiversity and human health and give them sufficient importance."

In Germany, the PIK is working together with the Charité in Berlin on research into the links between climate change and health and the necessary consequences. Wendt's partner at the Charité is climate and health expert Sabine Gabrysch.

According to Wendt, one focus of the work is in the area of nutrition. However, the general aim of the cooperation between climate and health research is "to create synergies for the investigation and evaluation of solutions for both aspects of climate change and health protection."

The researcher considers the precautions taken in Europe to date to be inadequate. It is true that awareness of the health risks posed by climate change is increasing - also since the publication of the report "Healthy Living on a Healthy Earth" by the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU) this summer and the establishment of a Planetary Health Hub at European level. But, says Wendt: "More remains to be done."