Presently, between 3.3 billion and 3.6 billion individuals worldwide reside in urban areas highly susceptible to climate change impacts. Among these, floods represent a significant immediate threat, predicted to result in 8.5 million deaths by 2050.

Droughts, closely associated with extreme heat events, also rank among the leading causes of global mortality, potentially contributing to 3.2 million deaths by 2050.

Indirect health issues arise from climate-related factors such as foodborne and vector-borne diseases, non-communicable ailments, displacement, and mental health challenges. The prevalence of waterborne illnesses like cholera and vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever continues to rise, with up to 300 million cases of vector-borne diseases reported annually.

Moreover, climate change exacerbates air pollution through increased fossil fuel combustion, leading to more than 5 million deaths annually. Food and water insecurity stemming from climate-induced disruptions to agriculture and water sources will escalate malnutrition and associated health problems in various regions, notably in Africa where approximately 86 million individuals rely significantly on natural and unprocessed food sources for sustenance, sourced from forests or farms rather than heavily industrialized food systems.