Climate change and its impact on lung health: a focus on Europe

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that climate change poses potentially the greatest threat to global health in the 21st century. Extreme temperatures, increased pollen and extreme weather events are climate impacts that will affect respiratory health.

There is evidence that emissions linked to global warming have an adverse impact on respiratory health, in particular emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels and biomass by power stations, industry, homes and vehicles. Awareness of this danger is increasing among the health sector and the European general public, and as it continues to grow, there are demands for tougher action. Politicians and public authorities can put in place the policies and frameworks to change systems, to make the big cuts to emissions that are needed.

A combination of mitigation (dealing with the causes) and adaptation strategies (looking at how to reduce the effects on lung health) can help address climate change and its impact on lung health, but effective implementation will depend on cooperation through integrated responses that link them.