Human Society

Health

Climate change increases health risks by intensifying heat waves, floods, droughts, wildfires, food insecurity, and infectious disease transmission.

1. Heat Waves

The WHO explains that heat waves and high-temperature exposure are major environmental and occupational health risks. Heat stress is one of the main causes of weather-related deaths. According to the Lancet Countdown 2025, heat-related mortality has increased by 63% since 1990. In particular, in the 2010s, about 550,000 people died annually from heat diseases.

2. Food Insecurity

Climate change destabilizes agricultural production and food supply through droughts, floods, abnormal high temperatures, and rising sea levels. If crop production decreases or food prices rise, it becomes difficult for low-income families to obtain sufficient and nutritious food. This can lead to malnutrition, decreased immunity, delayed growth, and increased disease vulnerability. As shown in the table, heat waves and droughts are further destabilizing the food supply as the years go by.

4. Natural Disaster

WHO explains that climate related disasters (such as floods, droughts, and wildfires) are becoming more frequent. These disasters can affect access to clean water, sanitation, food supply, mental health, and emergency medical services.

Floods can cause drowning, injuries, water-borne diseases, and disruption of health-care facilities. Droughts can lead to water shortages and reduced food production.

Wildfires can cause burns, but they also create PM2.5 in smoke. This fine particle pollution can worsen asthma, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. In particular, smoke from wildfires caused about 150,000 deaths in 2024.

Economy

Climate change causes economic damage by reducing labor productivity, damaging infrastructure, disrupting agriculture, and threatening employment.

1. Employment Instability & Labor Capacity

The World Bank’s Jobs in a Changing Climate report explains that climate change can negatively affect employment. It estimates that by 2050, 49 countries could face losses equal to about 43 million jobs. If this estimate is expanded to all low and middle-income countries, the loss could reach about 260 million jobs. This shows that climate change can reduce job opportunities and create serious economic pressure, especially in lower-income countries.

Climate change directly damages the labour market. As heatwaves become more severe, industries that depend on outdoor work, such as construction, agriculture, and transportation, can lose working hours and productivity.

The graph on the upper right shows potential losses caused by reduced labour capacity from heat exposure, divided by sector. The total loss has increased greatly over time not only in agriculture, but also in construction and manufacturing.

The graph below shows these potential losses as a percentage of GDP. It shows that countries with lower HDI (Human Development Index) face a heavier economic burden from heat-related labour loss.

Climate change is not only an environmental issue. It is also an economic issue that threatens people’s income and job security.

2. Infrastructure Damage

Infrastructure is a basic condition for economic activity. When roads, railways, ports, power grids, water systems, hospitals, and houses are damaged, the impact is not only repair costs. It can also cause secondary economic damage, such as logistics delays, power outages, disruption of hospital services, and business shutdowns.

For example, floods can cover roads and buildings with water. Droughts can weaken hydropower and water supply systems. Storms can damage power lines and communication networks.

3. Declining Agricultural Production

The FAO(Food and Agriculture Organization) explains that disasters cause major damage to agriculture. It reports that drought is the biggest cause of agricultural production losses. According to the FAO, more than 34% of crop and livestock production losses in least developed countries and low- and middle-income countries are linked to drought. The cost is about 37 billion US dollars. The FAO also explains that 82% of drought-related damage is concentrated in the agricultural sector.

Climate change reduces agricultural production. This can increase food prices and lower farmers’ income. Droughts reduce the water needed for crops to grow. Heatwaves can slow crop growth and lower crop yields. Floods can cover farmland with water, damage soil, and increase the spread of pests and diseases.

When agricultural production decreases, farmers earn less money, food prices rise, and the national economy and food security face greater pressure.

Energy

Climate change increases energy demand (especially for cooling) while also making electricity systems more vulnerable to extreme weather.

1. Rising Electricity Demand

As climate change raises average temperatures and makes heatwaves more frequent, cooling use increases. People use air conditioners, fans for longer periods to lower indoor temperatures. This increases both electricity consumption and peak electricity demand. During heatwaves (especially in the afternoon or evening) many homes and buildings use cooling systems at the same time. This puts heavy pressure on the power grid. A sudden increase in electricity demand can lead to higher electricity prices, lower power reserve margins, and a higher risk of blackouts.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) explains that air conditioners and fans account for about 20% of the electricity used in buildings worldwide. As shown in the graph, electricity demand for cooling has steadily increased and is expected to keep rising in the future.

2. Unstable Energy Supply

The IEA explains that climate change can affect every stage of the power system. Rising temperatures can reduce power generation efficiency and cooling efficiency. Changes in rainfall patterns can affect hydropower output and water supply. Extreme weather events can also physically damage transmission and distribution networks.

As an example, the Associated Press reported that Ecuador had forced power cuts for 8 to 14 hours a day in 2024. Ecuador supplies about 70% of its electricity demand through hydropower. However, severe drought lowered water levels at hydropower plants. This is a clear case of how extreme weather can lead to unstable electricity supply.