Climate change affects health<\/a>, shortens lives and makes daily life more difficult for millions of families around the world. But so often, these issues are tackled separately by different government departments and funders. <\/p>\n A new report<\/a> from the Climate Crisis Advisory Group<\/a>, a diverse collection of the world\u2019s most influential and interdisciplinary climate experts, highlights the urgent need for health and climate action to be designed together and work in tandem. <\/p>\n While reviewing this report as a member of this group and writing the foreword, I was struck by four clear win-win areas for climate and health.<\/p>\n 1. Transitioning away from fossil fuels<\/p>\n As soon as sectors, such as transport or heating, are electrified, pollution and associated health risks are reduced. \u201cElectrifying everything\u201d<\/a> brings major health benefits: immediately tackling the 8 million premature deaths around the world currently caused by fossil fuel pollution<\/a>. <\/p>\n Switching to electric transport means cleaner air and reduced toxic exposure. It also creates cooler, less polluted and quieter cities. This reduces respiratory and cardiovascular disease, reduces heat-related injuries and deaths. In turn, this lowers the strain on health and emergency services. <\/p>\n As \u201ceverything\u201d is becoming electrified, production of electric power can also transition to renewable energy \u2013 thereby consolidating low emissions, energy security and cheaper energy infrastructure and production costs.<\/p>\n Transitioning away from fossil fuels will benefit nature and human health. 2. Stewarding nature<\/p>\n Looking after the natural world has many health and climate benefits. Greening our cities reduces the urban heat island effect<\/a> that means large city centres can be up to 10\u02daC warmer than surrounding countryside. Greening urban areas also helps reduce the risk of flash floods as vegetation soaks up and stores a lot of the heavy rainfall. <\/p>\n More access to nature and healthy environments improves people\u2019s mental health<\/a>. By managing and enhancing our natural ecosystems, we protect water quality and build resilience from extreme weather. Stewardship of our natural environment reduces exposure to disease, toxic pollutants and contaminants. This results in fewer injuries and deaths from extreme weather and better mental wellbeing.<\/p>\n 3. Transforming food systems<\/p>\n There are 2.3 billion people that regularly do not have enough to eat<\/a>. Food systems that provide affordable access to nutritious and sustainable diets for all means building resilient, low-emission food production and supply chains. It also involves moving away from a meat-based diet<\/a>. <\/p>\n This will have two major health outcomes. It will lower rates of undernutrition and early mortality. It will also reduce obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This leads to a healthier, more prosperous population with a more productive workforce.<\/p>\n 4. Building resilient infrastructure<\/p>\n Two billion people do not have access to safe drinking water<\/a>, while 1.5 billion people lack basic sanitation. By 2050, up to 5 billion people could face water shortages<\/a> due to climate change, increased demand (especially in rapidly expanding cities) and pollution. <\/p>\n Mismanagement of water resources creates huge environmental damage and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Governments need to build resilient and safe water infrastructure, reducing exposure to waterborne and respiratory diseases.<\/p>\n Other infrastructure \u2013 especially schools and hospitals \u2013 requires strengthening with an understanding of the increased pressures arising from climate change. <\/p>\n Improving these critical resources for the most vulnerable citizens, securing an education and health services, improves physical and mental health security. Infrastructure systems can increase local and regional cooling, while offering protection from extreme weather and maintaining education and other essential services.<\/p>\n Developing policy<\/p>\n These all seem perfectly logical things to do \u2013 but with so many competing demands on policymakers around the world, how is it possible to provide this essential focus on health and climate together? <\/p>\n The new report<\/a> suggests using nationally determined contributions<\/a> (NDCs). <\/p>\n<\/p>\n Nationally determined contributions, explained by an expert.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/file-20260303-71-6mah8u.jpg\")
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