Climate change impacts escalate global health and disaster risks

Climate change continues to escalate the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, posing significant risks to public safety and economic stability. In the United States, federal support for climate mitigation, adaptation, and disaster response has seen declines. Specifically, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reported a staff reduction of over 17% in 2025, and billions of dollars intended for state-level protection of critical infrastructure and residents have been withheld.

On a global scale, the 2026 Healthy National Contribution Declaration report highlights a growing gap between national climate policies and public health protection goals. In Turkey, the country ranked 47th out of 132 nations in climate-health commitments. Research indicates that over 92% of the Turkish population is exposed to air pollution exceeding World Health Organization limits. This pollution is linked to high mortality rates, with approximately 83.6 deaths per 100,000 people attributed to air quality issues, and experts suggest that tens of thousands of deaths could be avoided through stronger emission reduction policies.