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A Climate Central analysis of 241 U.S. locations shows that 195 (81%) have experienced an increase in the annual number of extremely hot days since 1970, with an average increase of 11 days. The report highlights that extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related fatalities in the U.S. and disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and people of color living in urban heat islands. Specific cities like Austin, Texas, and San Angelo, Texas, have seen significant increases of 47 and 39 additional extremely hot days annually, respectively.

The document assesses the impact of operating three units at the Kusile power station without Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) from December 1, 2023, to March 31, 2025. It finds that this bypass will lead to a 6-fold increase in SO2 emissions and a 40% increase in mercury emissions, resulting in approximately 670 excess deaths and R16.8 billion in economic health damages. The authors argue that Eskom's own health impact estimates are unrealistically low because they use outdated modeling tools, ignore mercury emissions, and only consider a small 50 km geographic radius.

The document highlights the growing threat of extreme heat in Canada, noting its severe health impacts and economic costs. It advocates for a combination of mechanical cooling, urban greening, updated labor standards, and improved early warning systems to mitigate these risks.

The document advocates for incorporating the Value of a Statistical Life (VSL) into climate adaptation planning in Canada. It argues that traditional economic accounting often prioritizes tangible property damage over less quantifiable health impacts from extreme heat and wildfire smoke, potentially leading to the undervaluing of life-saving measures. By using VSL—a measure of the economic benefit of reduced mortality based on public willingness to pay—governments can more accurately conduct cost-benefit analyses and develop comprehensive policies that address both human and economic costs.

The document highlights the dangers of extreme heat in Canada, noting that 619 people died during the 2021 B.C. heat wave, with 93% lacking functional home cooling. It advocates for a combination of mechanical cooling (heat pumps, air conditioners) and urban greening, noting that in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, these could reduce heat-related hospitalization costs by 30% by mid-century. The text also recommends implementing occupational heat standards, earlier public heat warnings, and flexible workplace schedules to protect workers and maintain productivity, citing that schedule adaptations in B.C. could save $4 million annually in GDP losses by the 2030s.

Since 1970, average summer nighttime temperatures have increased in 95% of 241 analyzed U.S. locations, warming by an average of 3°F. These 'sweltering nights' are warming faster than daytime highs and increase heat stress, particularly for vulnerable populations and low-income households lacking air conditioning. The document highlights that the western U.S. has experienced the greatest warming, with Reno, Nevada, seeing the highest increase at 17.4°F.

The Canadian Climate Institute estimates that wildfires in Quebec caused $1.28 billion in healthcare costs in Ontario alone from June 4 to 8, 2023, due to a significant spike in PM2.5 fine particulate matter exposure.

The Regional Workshop on Climate, Environment, and Health, held in March 2023 in San Martín de los Andes, Argentina, focused on strengthening public institutional capacity to address environmental determinants of health (EDHs) in the Americas. The event convened nearly 100 experts from 20 countries to promote transdisciplinary and intersectoral collaboration. Key outcomes included the development of 13 seed grant proposals addressing issues such as dengue, heatwaves, and zoonoses, and the announcement of the Belmont Forum Collaborative Research Action (CRA2) funding call. The workshop also highlighted local climate and health initiatives in Neuquén Province, including GHG inventory efforts in San Martín de los Andes and vector-borne disease control in Neuquén Capital.

The proposal seeks USD 2,726,404 over 36 months to overcome five primary barriers to climate change adaptation (CCA) in Georgia: limited national and regional coordination, insufficient mainstreaming of CCA in policies, low awareness among decision-makers, limited funding, and the lack of a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system. The project, implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (MEPA), will establish thematic working groups, conduct climate risk assessments in four representative regions, develop six sectoral adaptation plans, and create a private sector engagement strategy. A central goal is the formulation and submission of a costed National Adaptation Plan to the UNFCCC, supported by a new M&E framework and a targeted adaptation finance action plan.

The June 2021 heatwave in British Columbia was the deadliest disaster in the province's history, resulting in 619 heat-related deaths. The report estimates the economic value of these lost lives at 5.5 billion CAD using the value of a statistical life. Key vulnerabilities identified include a lack of mechanical cooling in residential and public buildings, inadequate urban canopy, and institutional failures in emergency coordination and early warning systems. Economic impacts extended to agriculture, where producers lost at least 25 million CAD in revenue, and the labor market, with significant productivity losses. Future projections suggest that without adaptation, heat-related hospitalizations could reach 6,000 per year by 2030, and annual heat-related deaths could average 1,370 by 2030. The report recommends prioritizing mechanical cooling, urban greening, updating building codes, and improving the precision and lead time of weather warnings to three days.

The June 2021 heat wave in British Columbia was the deadliest disaster in the province's history, resulting in 619 direct heat-related deaths. The report estimates the societal cost of these lives lost at $5.5 billion using the Value of a Statistical Life (VSL) metric. Beyond mortality, the event caused $12 million in healthcare costs, significant agricultural revenue losses (at least $25 million), and disruptions to electricity and transportation infrastructure. Vulnerabilities were exacerbated by a lack of mechanical cooling in homes, inadequate urban greening, and institutional failures in disaster response and communication. The report argues that without adaptation, heat-related hospitalizations could double by 2030 and annual deaths could average 1,370 by 2030. Key recommendations include updating building codes for mechanical cooling, increasing urban forest canopies, improving weather warning lead times to three days, and implementing independent public reviews of disaster responses.

Analysis of 241 U.S. locations shows that 95% have experienced summer warming since 1970, with an average increase of 2.4°F. The West, Southwest, Northwest, and western Texas saw the most heating, with Reno, Nevada, recording the highest increase at 11.1°F. Additionally, 58% of analyzed locations now experience at least two more weeks of above-normal summer days than in 1970. The document highlights that excessive heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. and disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and people of color living in urban heat islands.

The author argues that current federal and state laws in New York contain a regulatory loophole because they require disclosure of lead-based paint only when sellers are aware of it, but do not mandate the testing necessary to uncover that information. The proposed bills S2353 and A4820 would require testing for housing built before 1978 to protect children from irreversible cognitive and health issues caused by lead exposure.

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment advocates for the Clean Electricity Regulations to ensure a net-zero electricity grid by 2035, emphasizing the need for interim targets and the removal of exemptions for emitting assets. The statement highlights that Canada's electricity sector was the sixth largest source of domestic greenhouse gas emissions in 2020, particularly in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia. It links the phase-out of coal and gas to significant health benefits, noting that coal causes severe respiratory and neurological issues, while gas plants are associated with adverse birth outcomes and increased hospital admissions for the elderly.

Climate Central's analysis of 242 U.S. locations from 1979 to 2022 shows that 71% of these sites experienced an increase in annual mosquito days, averaging a rise of 16 days. The Southeast and South currently have the highest number of mosquito days, while the Ohio Valley and Northeast saw the largest region-wide increases. The report links these trends to warming spring and fall temperatures and discusses the expanding risk of mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile virus and dengue, as suitable habitats shift northward and the season length for transmission increases.

The health system in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is characterized by a near-collapse due to conflict and mismanagement, with a high reliance on non-state actors and significant out-of-pocket costs for households. While life expectancy and mortality rates for infants and mothers have improved since 1990, the DRC continues to lag behind other low-income countries and is projected to miss 2030 Sustainable Development Goals for maternal and infant mortality. Severe child malnutrition remains a critical issue, with 43% of children under five suffering from chronic malnutrition. The country is expected to undergo an epidemiological transition in 2030, shifting from a dominance of communicable diseases—such as malaria, which causes 80% of deaths in children under five—to non-communicable diseases. Government health spending remains extremely low, at less than 4% of GDP as of 2017.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) published this guide to help the public influence the EPA's proposed rule on ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions from commercial sterilizers. The guide argues that while the proposal is a positive step—potentially reducing emissions by 80%—it contains significant gaps regarding cumulative health risks, fenceline monitoring, and the regulation of off-site warehouses. It urges commenters to support the use of the 2016 IRIS risk assessment, demand continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS), and call for a faster compliance timeline than the proposed 18 months. The document also highlights environmental justice concerns, noting that people of color and low-income communities are disproportionately located near these facilities.

Algeria has seen significant improvements in infant mortality since 1970 and is projected to reach a life expectancy of 80 years by 2040. However, the health system faces pressure from an ageing population, a rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and shortages of healthcare professionals. While maternal mortality is on track to meet SDG targets by 2033, the country is not expected to meet the 2030 SDG goal to end preventable deaths of newborns and children under five under current policies.

The document analyzes Algeria's demographic transition, noting a decline in fertility rates and a projected population of 54 million by 2040. It highlights economic risks associated with an aging population and low female labor participation, while observing that a shrinking 'youth bulge' may reduce the likelihood of social instability compared to sub-Saharan Africa.

The report analyzes Tunisia's demographic transition, noting a decline in fertility rates and an aging population. While the country experienced a peak demographic dividend in 2011, an opaque economic system has prevented these human capital gains from translating into income growth and formal employment. The report warns that a shrinking youth bulge may reduce social unrest, but an aging population will increase healthcare costs for non-communicable diseases.