Climate Change: A Growing Health Crisis
Climate change is often framed in terms of rising sea levels, melting ice caps, and extreme weather events. But a far more intimate, and often underreported, consequence lies in its toll on human health. MGD Marketing Consultant Judy Holm is a Certified Ambassador for Climate Interactive, spotlighting how our changing climate is reshaping global health — and how tools like En-ROADS can help us prepare and respond.
The Hidden Costs of a Warming Planet
Recent updates to Climate Interactive’s En-ROADS climate simulator have made one thing unequivocally clear: climate change is not just an environmental issue — it’s a pressing public health emergency.
Three newly introduced features within En-ROADS now visualize some of the most severe health-related outcomes of climate inaction:
- Disease Exposure Risk
As global temperatures rise, so does the reach of disease-carrying vectors like mosquitoes. Regions once too cool to support malaria or dengue fever are becoming breeding grounds for these deadly diseases. This increased disease burden hits hardest in areas with limited healthcare infrastructure, compounding the human and economic toll. - Nutritional Decline in Staple Crops
Elevated atmospheric CO₂ levels may boost crop yields, but they also diminish the nutritional content of essential food sources. Staple crops such as rice and wheat are experiencing declines in protein, zinc, and iron — nutrients crucial for child development, immune health, and cognitive function. In already vulnerable populations, this silent nutritional erosion could trigger widespread health crises, including anemia, stunted growth, and increased susceptibility to infection. - Rising Global Drought Risk
Droughts are becoming more frequent and intense, threatening water supplies and food security. These conditions not only increase the risk of malnutrition and dehydration but also exacerbate mental health issues and force displacement, triggering a cascade of socio-economic and health challenges.
Empowering Change Through Data-Driven Dialogue
En-ROADS stands out as a revolutionary tool in this battle. Created by Climate Interactive and MIT Sloan, it allows policymakers, business leaders, educators, and concerned citizens to simulate the outcomes of different climate policies in real time. The visual, data-rich experience fosters deep understanding and meaningful discussion.
These new health-focused layers in En-ROADS make it easier than ever to demonstrate why climate action isn’t just a future-oriented ambition — it’s a present-day necessity. Reducing emissions, investing in renewable energy, protecting forests, and improving agricultural practices all have measurable benefits, not only for the planet but for human health.
The Intersection of Health, Climate, and Communication
Judy Holm states, “As a Certified Climate Interactive Ambassador, I use En-ROADS in workshops
and consultations to help organizations visualize the ripple effects of their decisions. As a marketing consultant for MGD, I also bring this lens to our content and campaigns — ensuring that our messaging reflects both the environmental and health dimensions of sustainability.”
At MGD, we recognize that addressing climate change means engaging hearts and minds. Facts matter, but so do stories — stories about people whose lives are being changed by the air they breathe, the food they eat, and the diseases they face. By grounding climate data in human impact, we aim to inspire action that’s rooted in empathy as much as urgency.
Looking Forward
Climate change affects us all, but it does not affect us equally. Vulnerable populations — children, the elderly, and low-income communities — are bearing the brunt of its health consequences. With tools like En-ROADS, we have a clearer picture of the stakes — and a roadmap for change.
By understanding the intersection of climate and health, we can help protect people and the planet. And through our roles — as healthcare professionals, citizens, and ambassadors — we can drive the kind of informed, compassionate leadership the world so urgently needs.
For more on these tools and the data behind them, visit: https://www.climateinteractive.org/en-roads/
