The impact of climate change on our health is not always immediate or headline-grabbing. While wildfires and air pollution make the news, there are slower, more insidious forms of violence that wear away at our well-being. Heatwaves are a prime example of this kind of climate attrition.
In 2023, Europe experienced its deadliest summer on record, with temperatures soaring to unprecedented levels. The toll was staggering, with 61,000 lives lost in Europe alone. Heatwaves are not just uncomfortable – they can be deadly. Studies show that more than seven million people have died in heatwaves caused by climate change since 1991. And as is often the case with climate impacts, the most vulnerable are the ones who suffer the most.
The human body is not equipped to handle extreme heat. Heatwaves can lead to dehydration, impaired cognitive function, cardiovascular strain, and even organ failure. The oppressive heat can also have a psychological toll, increasing aggression, irritability, and even suicide rates. As the Earth continues to warm, the impact of heatwaves will only worsen.
But the damage caused by climate change goes beyond just heatwaves. Disasters like fires and floods can lead to a myriad of health issues, displacement, and economic devastation. Millions are displaced each year due to environmental disasters, with billions more predicted to be affected by 2050.
The psychological toll of climate change is immense. The stress of increased air pollution, the anxiety of impending disasters, and the loss of community and place all contribute to a growing sense of ecological grief and climate anxiety. Disasters like flooding and fires can lead to long-lasting trauma, affecting individuals and communities for years to come.
The economic costs of climate change are also staggering. Extreme weather events cost the world billions of dollars each year, with a five-fold increase in the number of events since 1970. Businesses can be wiped out by flood damage, leading to job losses and service disruptions. The withdrawal of insurance coverage for high-risk areas is creating climate risk ghettos, where residents are left vulnerable and without financial protection.
As climate change worsens, the economic and social fabric of communities will be strained. Depopulation, job losses, and a shrinking economic base will become more common. The mental health implications of climate change cannot be understated, with a growing sense of despair and hopelessness permeating society.
But there is a choice to be made. We can either passively suffer the consequences of climate change or come together to disrupt the current capitalist system that is driving the crisis. By organizing and mobilizing for a real transition to a sustainable future, we can create a movement capable of fighting for a better world for all.
Dr. Nicholas Beuret, a lecturer at the University of Essex, highlights the urgent need to disrupt the climate transition in his new book, “Or Something Worse.” The time to act is now, before the impacts of climate change become irreversible. Let us choose to fight for a better future, one that prioritizes the well-being of all living beings on this planet.
