Heat Waves Put Older Persons At High Risk, Warns UNEP Report

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has raised alarm over the heightened vulnerability of older persons to climate change impacts, particularly extreme heat waves. In its 7th Frontiers Report, titled “The Weight of Time”, UNEP underscores that adults aged 65 and above—especially those with chronic illnesses or limited mobility—are facing rising mortality and health risks due to intensifying heat, air pollution, and flooding.

The report reveals that annual heat-related deaths among older persons have surged by an estimated 85% since the 1990s, driven largely by worsening climate conditions in urban centres of low- and middle-income countries.

“Heat waves are among the most frequent and deadly impacts of climate change,” said UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen, urging policymakers to prioritize older populations in climate resilience strategies.

Recommendations include redesigning cities to be pollution-free, climate-resilient, and accessible, with more green spaces, improved climate data access, and community-based disaster risk management.

The report also explores additional emerging threats:

• Zombie microbes: Warming beyond 2°C could shrink the cryosphere, potentially reactivating dormant microbes and increasing antimicrobial resistance.

• Toxic chemical resurgence: Floods may remobilize harmful chemicals banned decades ago, posing risks to health and food systems.

• Aging dams: Unsafe and obsolete dams threaten ecosystems and communities, with dam removals offering restoration opportunities for rivers and biodiversity.

In a related development, the UN Human Rights Council has initiated efforts to create a legally binding instrument on the rights of older persons, which could further reinforce protections against climate risks.

The writer of this article is Dr. Seema Javed, an environmentalist & a communications professional in the field of climate and energy