Global climate change is an urgent anthropogenic crisis that requires worldwide cooperation to address. The burning of fossil fuels and the resulting greenhouse gases are the primary drivers of climate change, which threatens the survival of humans, animals, and ecosystems. The relationship between human, animal, and environmental health is encapsulated in the “One Health" approach, emphasizing the need for sustainable health practices that consider all species and ecosystems.
Climate change not only impacts health but also social justice, as marginalized populations, though contributing little to greenhouse gas emissions, suffer disproportionately from its effects. Examples of climate-related health risks include heat-related illnesses, food and water insecurity, rising sea levels, and the spread of infectious diseases.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing concern, exacerbated by climate change. AMR occurs when pathogens evolve resistance to antibiotics, making it more difficult to treat many infections. Climate change impacts AMR by altering bacterial growth patterns, increasing the spread of resistant infections, and affecting environmental factors like water pollution, flooding, and droughts. Rising temperatures and extreme weather events like wildfires and flooding further spread AMR, making it a significant global health threat.
Solutions to combat AMR include the development of alternative treatments like antimicrobial peptides, vaccines, bacteriophage therapy, and nanoparticles. Additionally, global frameworks like the WHO's Global Action Plan on AMR aim to reduce the spread of resistance through multisectoral national action plans.