Heat and Health in a Warming World: Stories and Solutions to Save Lives and Livelihoods

Extreme heat is deadly – but it doesn’t have to be. Once rare, heat waves are now more frequent and intense, killing over half a million people each year. Beyond health, extreme heat threatens food production, worker safety, and livable environments. Yet its impacts are not felt equally: the urban poor, outdoor laborers, pregnant people, and children are among the most vulnerable.

In this hotter, more dangerous world, health systems must adapt. Proven, low-cost solutions—like cooling centers and protective gear—can be scaled now to protect communities and workers. Long-term change, however, requires innovation in policy, technology, and climate services. Investing today can help countries strengthen health systems while managing limited resources more effectively.

This solution-focused session will explore the intersection of extreme heat and health using a dynamic fishbowl format. It will unfold in three acts: personal stories of those most affected, promising interventions informed by those experiences, and policy insights that support broader systems change. This structure underscores how local realities can drive scalable solutions through innovation and political will.

On the road to COP30 — where financing discussions are expected to take center stage — this session will challenge global health and business leaders to consider the urgent need and opportunity for climate-informed health action. The session is especially timely as the global health community grapples with shifting norms and funding disruptions, offering an opportunity to reimagine how countries, institutions, and businesses can secure a healthier, more resilient future in a warming world.