Nairobi: As extreme heat becomes increasingly common worldwide, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has issued a stark warning about the growing health risks faced by older adults.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Frontiers 2025 Report, titled "The Weight of Time - Facing a New Age of Challenges for People and Ecosystems," highlights a significant rise in annual heat-related deaths among older persons, estimated at an 85 percent increase since the 1990s.
Communities across China, Japan, India, Europe, and the USA are experiencing weeks of extreme heat and flooding, exacerbating the risk to older populations. The report identifies additional dangers from declining air quality and flooding in low-lying coastal areas, where many older adults reside.
According to the report, older individuals, especially those with chronic illnesses or limited mobility, are particularly susceptible to heat-related health issues, including respiratory, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases, and increased mortality. It also observes that adults aged 65 and above are becoming a larger segment of the global population, particularly in urban areas of low- and middle-income countries.
The report further examines the impacts of climate change, such as glacier melting, which could release ancient pathogens, and floods that may unearth hazardous chemicals. UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen emphasized the frequent and deadly nature of heatwaves, urging preparedness for the risks they pose to vulnerable populations, especially the elderly.
The report recommends transforming cities into pollution-free, resilient spaces with ample vegetation. Suggested strategies include improved urban planning, community-based disaster risk management, and better access to climate information for older populations.
Beyond impacts on older adults, the report warns of ancient microbes potentially reawakening if global temperatures exceed 2°C above pre-industrial levels. This could severely affect the cryosphere, home to millions of people, by activating dormant fungi, bacteria, and viruses, increasing antimicrobial resistance risks.
To mitigate cryosphere decline, the report advocates for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting tourism in fragile frozen regions. It also calls for accelerated research into cryospheric microorganisms that may not survive the cryosphere's decline.
The report highlights risks from the remobilization of banned chemicals due to floods, which can release toxins into urban areas or food systems. It suggests measures like improved drainage systems, nature-based solutions, and regular pollutant monitoring to address this growing threat.
Additionally, the report discusses the risks associated with ageing dams, which can harm communities and ecosystems. It underscores the benefits of removing obsolete, unsafe dams to restore natural river connectivity and support biodiversity.
The Frontiers 2025 Report, part of UNEP's Foresight Trajectory initiative, aims to highlight emerging environmental issues and potential solutions.