Sustainable sanitation saves energy, turns waste into resources, and protects communities from contamination and disease.
The majority of the water, sanitation, and nutrition health impacts of climate change will land on children. To address this, young people are taking the lead on climate efforts – and it’s time for adults to follow.
Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are a crucial part of an integrated approach to preventing and treating diarrheal disease and mitigating the effects of climate change. Learn more about the state of WASH in our interactive report.
Climate change means water change: flooding, drought, water scarcity, overwhelmed water and sanitation systems, and contaminated water sources. These changes will have significant health impacts, especially for those without access to safely managed sanitation systems.
Starting in 2030, the World Health Organization estimates 48,000 additional annual diarrheal deaths among children under 15 due to climate change’s impacts on water, sanitation, and nutrition.
The impacts of a warming planet are projected to increase the burden of diarrheal disease, with an estimated 7% increase in diarrhea cases per every 1 degree Celsius of global warming.
Droughts, floods, and famine are increasing due to the climate crisis. Among many impacts, these weather extremes are projected to increase the burden of water-linked diseases like diarrhea. This infographic explains the links between the climate crisis, sanitation, and diarrheal disease.
To recover better from COVID-19, we must recognize, reduce and redistribute unpaid care and domestic work.