Editorial Piece:Climate change is no longer just about rising temperatures or melting ice. It is increasingly becoming a threat to human health, affecting how people live, work, and survive in communities around the world.

On October 28, 2026, the World Health Organization highlighted new findings from the Lancet Countdown report on health and climate change. The report found that average annual heat-related deaths increased by nearly 36% in the years following the introduction of the Paris Agreement compared with the previous decade. In 2023 alone, heat was associated with an estimated 710,000 deaths worldwide, with more than 70% of that burden attributed to human-caused climate change.

These figures show why extreme heat deserves more attention. High temperatures can increase the risk of heatstroke, worsen existing health conditions, and make outdoor work and daily activities dangerous. People who have limited access to cooling, reliable healthcare, or safe housing may face greater risks. Climate-related droughts and other environmental changes can also put pressure on food supplies, water access, and local health systems.

For young people, this issue is about more than the weather they experience today. It is about the conditions in which they will study, work, raise families, and build their futures. Students may face disruptions during extreme heat, while young workers in construction, agriculture, and other outdoor industries can be especially exposed to dangerous temperatures. These challenges also raise questions about whether governments are preparing communities for a changing climate.

However, the report also points to progress. Global investment in clean energy reached a record $2.1 trillion in 2025, according to the WHO’s summary of the findings. Cleaner energy, stronger healthcare systems, and reliable early-warning systems can help reduce risks and protect communities. The challenge is making these solutions available quickly and fairly, particularly in places with fewer resources.

The evidence makes one point clear: protecting the climate is also a way to protect public health. Governments must consider health when making decisions about energy, infrastructure, emergency planning, and climate funding. As international leaders prepare for the next United Nations climate conference, the question is whether action can keep pace with the growing risks.

Climate change may affect every generation, but the decisions made today will shape the world young people inherit tomorrow. Addressing it is not only an environmental responsibility—it is an investment in human health and the future.