Climate Health Risks May Cost World Economy $1.5 Trillion by 2050

A new report from the  World Economic Forum  warns that rising climate-linked health problems could cause the world to lose more than  \$1.5 trillion  in productivity by  2050 . ([World Economic Forum]

 The losses are expected in key areas like  food and farming ,  buildings and infrastructure , and  healthcare . ([World Economic Forum]

 Here are the numbers by sector:

 Food and agriculture  could lose \$740 billion in output. ([World Economic Forum]

Built environment  (offices, homes, cities) may see \$570 billion in lost productivity. ([World Economic Forum]

Health and healthcare  could lose about \$200 billion due to illnesses in workers. ([World Economic Forum]

 The report says the number \$1.5 trillion covers mainly these three sectors. If insurance and other areas are also counted, the total cost could be much higher. ([World Economic Forum

Why This Is Important

 Rising heat, spread of infectious diseases, and other climate-driven health risks are becoming more common. For businesses, this means fewer healthy workers, more sick days, and higher costs. ([World Economic Forum]

 The report urges companies to start  adapting now . Some suggested actions:

 Protect worker health (for example, with cooling technologies) ([World Economic Forum)

Use climate-resilient crops to safeguard food supply ([World Economic Forum]

Develop medicines that stay stable in heat ([World Economic Forum]

 Bigger Picture

 Delaying action will only increase risk and cost. Investing early in solutions not only reduces losses, but can also open up new opportunities in business and tech. ([World Economic Forum]

 Overall, this report is a wake-up call: the health effects of climate change are not just about environment, but about jobs, productivity, and our ability to grow and thrive.