Health: IPCC WGII Climate Change 2022 Report

This fact sheet based on the IPCC WGII Climate Change 2022 Report identifies climate change as the primary health threat to humanity, noting that extreme weather increases involuntary migration and strains healthcare systems. It advocates for strengthening public health resiliency, redesigning health policies, and transitioning to low-carbon urban infrastructure to reduce health risks. Crucially, it highlights a funding deficit, noting that less than 1% of international climate finance is currently dedicated to health sector adaptation.

• Climate change is identified as the single largest health threat to humanity, with extreme weather events endangering healthcare systems. The document states that the frequency and severity of droughts, rising temperatures, extreme storms, and floods directly impact health and livelihoods, which leads to increased displacement and involuntary migration.
• Building climate-resilient health systems requires strengthening public health resiliency through the integration of early warning systems, risk monitoring, improved emergency management, and the creation of climate-resilient health information systems and facilities. Additionally, health policies must be redesigned to account for projected health burdens and climate risks.
• There is a significant funding gap for health sector adaptation, with less than 1% of international climate finance currently allocated to this area. The document argues that policymakers must unlock substantial resources to strengthen responses, particularly for communities with the highest exposure to climate hazards.
• Transitioning to low-carbon societies provides health benefits through strategies such as investment in green buildings in cities, active transport like cycling, and access to affordable renewable energy.
• Specific health risks, including food-borne and water-borne diseases, can be addressed through targeted measures such as improving early warning systems and increasing access to clean water, while protecting sanitation and water systems from extreme weather and flooding.

APA

World Resources Institute (2022). Health: IPCC WGII Climate Change 2022 Report. https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/2022-05/aac-health-infographic.pdf

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Health: IPCC WGII Climate Change 2022 Report. 2022. https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/2022-05/aac-health-infographic.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Health: IPCC WGII Climate Change 2022 Report |date=2022 |url=https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/2022-05/aac-health-infographic.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitute2022health, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Health: IPCC WGII Climate Change 2022 Report}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2022}, url = {https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/2022-05/aac-health-infographic.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }