Outlines a three-step action plan for action and commits more than $1 million to helping cities save lives NEW YORK | September 26, 2024 — During New York City Climate Week, The Rockefeller Foundation released a three-step roadmap to help cities around the world more effectively plan for, and respond to the global health emergency caused by climate change. With more than half of the world’s population living in urban areas, Urban Climate-Health Action: A New Approach to Protecting Health in the Era of Climate Change , identifies the critical gaps in city-level responses to climate-induced health threats. The Rockefeller Foundation announced today that it will invest more than $1 million to support the plan’s implementation through grants, including to C40 Cities and Resilient Cities Network. “From New York to Nairobi, Bogotá to Bangalore, cities worldwide are facing rising health risks and increased stress from climate change,” said Elizabeth Yee, Executive Vice President of Programs at The Rockefeller Foundation. “This report highlights immediate, actionable steps mayors, health officials, and residents can take to protect lives and improve well-being.” While the health implications of climate change are global, cities, which are home to an estimated 5 billion people, are already bearing the brunt of the crisis. By 2050, nearly 70% of the world’s population is expected to live in a city, each facing unique health risks caused by climate change. The features that define cities—dense populations, concrete landscapes, limited greenspace, and proximity to water— intensify heat, increase pollution, and spread disease. Cities like New Delhi and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso are experiencing unprecedented heatwaves, while Dhaka, Miami, and Dubai face more frequent and severe flooding. Rio de Janeiro and Ho Chi Minh City have seen increased cases of dengue fever due to expanding mosquito habitats. The Urban Climate-Health Action report was […]
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