Emissions from fossil fuels impact human health across lifespan: Report

The harms are persistent and systemic, not just restricted to initial exposure, the report finds 

The harms of burning fossil fuels have been known for decades, but the precise impact on human health was not explored thoroughly. A new report by Global Climate and Health Alliance reveals a global overview of the health consequences associated with fossil fuel use at every stage of their lifecycle, from extraction to waste, and across the human lifespan, from pregnancy and pre-birth to old age.

The report found that fossil fuel-related pollution affects every stage of life, from fetal development to old age. And the harms are severe. On top of that, the harm to human health is not only restricted to initial exposure to fossil fuel emissions — they are persistent and systemic.

According to the report, fossil fuels cause severe health harms at every stage of their lifecycle — extraction, refining, transport, storage, combustion, and disposal. It also affects less privileged and marginalised communities more disproportionately. The emissions drive wider societal health impacts and exacerbate other pre-existing health disparities in communities and between nations.

The solution to this systemic problem is a rapid just transition. While this has been advocated so that communities, primarily those who are dependent on fossil fuel economies, can find alternative livelihoods, the health impacts present a more urgent need. 

Harming health, rising costs

The report found that climate and health policies, across the world, have largely ignored these multidimensional health harms of fossil fuels. In fact, it pegs the cost of inaction against the fossil fuel industry to be around US$7 trillion — the total sum of global fossil fuel subsidies. This includes explicit subsidies such as tax breaks and price caps, as well as implicit subsidies. 

“Fossil fuels are a direct assault on health, harming us at every stage of their lifecycle and every stage of our lives, from the womb to old age, driving miscarriages, childhood leukemia, asthma, cancer, strokes, and mental health crises”, said author Shweta Narayan, Campaign Lead at the Global Climate and Health Alliance.

“Fossil fuels’ toxic legacy persists for decades in our air, water, and bodies, exposing communities throughout the world, and imposing an especially heavy burden on marginalized communities. Even if carbon emissions were captured tomorrow, fossil fuels would still poison, displace, and destabilize. Not only are they a climate problem, fossil fuels are driving a global public health emergency,” she said.

The health impacts are dangerous and diverse. From severe lung and cardiovascular diseases to weakening the immune system, fossil fuels can cause even reduced fertility in humans. The report also evidenced fossil fuel-related emissions causing mental health disorders as well as cognitive decline of the brain and nervous systems. 

In children, fossil fuels can cause lasting lung damage and lower IQ, while exposure to fumes, or benzene can harm fetal brain, heart, and lung development. Fossil fuels are especially harmful for pregnant people as there are higher rates of complications, including pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and fertility problems, found the report.

As humans grow older, continued exposure to fossil fuels can cause long term health damages, and in old ages, it increases the risk of chronic diseases and raises dementia.

The report combines existing scientific evidence, personal testimonials and case studies to arrive at the results. Among its suggestions are prioritising public health, safety, health system stability, social justice, and environmental sustainability, and urging swift transition away from fossil fuels.

“At COP30, political leaders must respond with urgency by recognizing fossil fuel dependence as a widespread driver of disease and inequality, along with driving global warming emission. An appropriate response would see governments halting new oil, gas, and coal projects, setting clear timelines to phase out existing projects, and ending the shocking $1.3 trillion in direct subsidies that keep this industry afloat,” said Dr. Jeni Miller, executive director of the Global Climate and Health Alliance.

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