Climate Change: Causes, Consequences, and Strategies for Prevention

Abstract

Climate change is a pressing global issue, primarily driven by human-induced activities such as fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and industrialization. The rise in greenhouse gas emissions has led to severe environmental consequences, including global warming, extreme weather patterns, and biodiversity loss. Addressing this crisis requires immediate intervention through sustainable strategies and policy implementation. This research aims to analyse the key causes and consequences of climate change while exploring effective prevention and mitigation strategies. The study emphasizes the role of renewable energy, afforestation, and global policies in combating climate change.A qualitative research approach is adopted, primarily relying on a literature review of authoritative sources such as NASA Climate Change, IPCC reports, World Bank Climate Data, and UNEP publications. Case studies of successful mitigation efforts and policy frameworks are analysed to assess their effectiveness.Findings suggest that transitioning to renewable energy, enforcing stricter environmental policies, and promoting public awareness are critical in reducing global carbon emissions. Case studies indicate that countries with proactive climate policies experience slower environmental degradation. Furthermore, technological innovations such as carbon capture and smart grid systems show promising potential in mitigating climate change effects.Climate change mitigation requires a collective effort from governments, industries, and individuals. Strengthening international policies, fostering technological advancements, and encouraging sustainable practices are essential steps toward preserving the planet for future generations. This research highlights the urgency of immediate action and provides a framework for effective climate resilience strategies.

Introduction

Climate change is a critical global health threat, intensifying extreme weather events that harm millions and cause economic losses exceeding USD 170 billion by 2020. Governments, UN agencies, healthcare workers, and civil society face the urgent task of mitigating and adapting to these risks to protect public health worldwide.

UN agencies have long called for climate action, urging integration of climate priorities into development and COVID-19 recovery plans. The WHO’s 2020 Manifesto outlines six key prescriptions for a healthy, green recovery, including protecting nature, investing in clean energy and essential services, promoting sustainable food systems, and ending public funding of pollution.

To guide future efforts, the WHO–Civil Society Working Group conducted a scoping review of climate change and health research from 2008 to 2019, analyzing over 2,000 studies. Research on climate-related health risks, especially temperature effects and infectious diseases, has grown significantly but remains uneven across priorities and regions. Most studies focus on assessing risks and decision-support tools, with fewer addressing mitigation, protective measures, or economic costs.

Research is disproportionately concentrated in high-income countries, while low- and middle-income nations—home to most of the global population—are underrepresented. Asia, North America, and Europe lead in study volume, whereas Africa, South America, and vulnerable regions like Small Island Developing States receive limited attention.

Advancing climate and health research requires interdisciplinary collaboration, equitable funding, and stronger partnerships. Although some high-income countries and philanthropic organizations have increased investments, major funding gaps remain, especially for research on mitigation and adaptation health effects.

International cooperation, ethical funding commitments from wealthy nations, and targeted support for vulnerable regions are essential to build scientific knowledge that informs fair, effective climate policies and protects global public health.

Conclusion

Climate change stands as one of the most pressing threats to global health in the 21st century. The world is witnessing a rise in the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events such as heatwaves, wildfires, floods, and droughts. These environmental changes are having serious impacts on the health of millions globally and have resulted in economic damages exceeding USD 170 billion by the year 2020. Governments, UN agencies, healthcare workers, civil society, and other key stakeholders are now faced with both the responsibility and the opportunity to combat this crisis. By implementing strategies focused on mitigation and adaptation, they aim to safeguard and enhance the health and well-being of populations across the globe

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Anish Kumar Singh, Shyam Shankar Dwivedi. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.