Hot Times Ahead: Big Money Moves to Fight Climate Health Crisis

The world is getting hotter, and it's taking a toll on people's health. 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, and infectious diseases. The money will be used to gather data and find the best ways to invest in tackling these climate-related health risks. Estelle Willie, from The Rockefeller Foundation, one of the funders, said they want to move beyond just fixing problems as they arise. Instead, they aim to test and validate new solutions. Brazil, the host of COP30, also launched the Belem Health Action Plan. This initiative encourages countries to monitor and coordinate climate-related health policies across different government departments. It's part of Brazil's effort to help countries prepare for and adapt to worsening climate impacts like floods, fires, droughts, storms, and hurricanes. 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. Progress in health is declining, and climate change is making existing global health problems worse. A recent report estimates nearly 550, 000 deaths yearly from heat-related causes worsened by climate change. Additionally, 150, 000 annual deaths are linked to air pollution, often from burning fossil fuels and wildfires. Infectious diseases are also on the rise, with dengue fever cases up 49% since the 1950s. U. N. agencies report that 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, and communities with fewer resources. Other funders in the Climate and Health Funders Coalition include the Gates Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and IKEA Foundation. While 27 more philanthropies have joined, they have yet to commit funds.