Agriculture is both a contributor to and influenced by climate change. Changing weather patterns impact crop yields and livestock production, leading to shifts in agricultural practices, including the increased use of antimicrobials in animal husbandry to prevent disease and promote growth under stressful conditions. Global antimicrobial use in food animal production was ~63,151 tons in 2010 and is expected to increase by ~67% to ~105,596 tons by 2030. Around 80% of food-producing animals and birds receive medication for at least part of their lives. Antimicrobials used in food animals constitute ~80% of the total antimicrobial consumption in the US each year. Most of the global rise (~67%) in antimicrobial use is driven by the growing population of animals raised for food.
Increased temperatures and altered precipitation patterns also impact food safety, with potential implications for foodborne illnesses caused by resistant pathogens. These agricultural shifts not only shape food security but also introduce resistant bacteria into the food chain and the environment, posing further risks to human health.
Climate change also affects global trade routes and patterns, influencing the movement of goods and people. This interconnectedness facilitates the spread of infectious diseases and resistant microbes across borders, complicating efforts to contain AMR on a global scale. The emergence of new pathogens and resistant strains in different regions points to the need for coordinated international efforts to address these interconnected challenges. The combined threats of AMR and climate change necessitate comprehensive, integrated strategies that involve local, national, and global collaboration to mitigate their multifaceted impacts. Addressing these interconnected challenges is essential for promoting public health, environmental sustainability, and global socio-economic stability.
Projected Impact and Future Scenarios
The projected impact of the combined threats of AMR and climate change paints a distressing picture for global health and wellbeing. As AMR reduces the effectiveness of existing treatments, healthcare systems face increased pressure to develop new antimicrobial agents. However, the pipeline for new antibiotics is limited due to scientific and economic challenges. Climate change-induced health crises further strain these systems, potentially overwhelming their capacity to respond effectively. The economic burden of AMR is substantial. The World Bank estimates that AMR could result in ~US$1trn additional healthcare costs by 2050, and ~US$1trn to ~US$3.4trn gross domestic product (GDP) losses per year by 2030. Climate change exacerbates these costs through disruptions to agricultural productivity, healthcare expenditures, and labour productivity. Socio-economic disparities are likely to widen as vulnerable populations bear the brunt of these combined impacts, leading to increased poverty and reduced access to essential services.
Ecosystems, which provide services such as water purification, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity maintenance, are also under threat. Climate change and AMR compromise these services, undermining environmental resilience and exacerbating the vulnerability of both natural and human systems. The degradation of ecosystems can lead to the loss of biodiversity, further disrupting ecological balance and increasing the spread of resistant pathogens. As these environmental and health challenges intensify, the global community faces a future where traditional methods of disease control and prevention may no longer be effective, necessitating innovative approaches and robust international cooperation to safeguard human health and maintain ecological stability.
Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies
Tackling the intertwined challenges of AMR and climate change requires well-coordinated, comprehensive strategies implemented at local, national, and global levels. Enhanced surveillance and monitoring systems are important for tracking resistant pathogens and infectious diseases, allowing for early detection and response. Integrating environmental and climate data into these surveillance frameworks provides a more detailed understanding of disease dynamics and antimicrobial use patterns, helping to identify and address emerging threats more effectively.
Promoting the sustainable use of antimicrobials in human medicine, agriculture, and veterinary practices is essential to mitigate the spread of resistance. This involves advocating for responsible prescribing and use, implementing regulations to curb overuse and misuse, and promoting alternative practices such as vaccination and improved hygiene. These measures can reduce reliance on antimicrobial agents and slow the development of resistance.
Building resilient healthcare infrastructure capable of withstanding climate-related disruptions is critical for maintaining health services during crises. This includes enhancing infection prevention and control measures, improving disaster preparedness, and ensuring access to essential healthcare services during and after extreme weather events. Strengthening healthcare systems' capacity to cope with both AMR and climate impacts can prevent service disruptions and manage disease outbreaks more effectively.
Mitigating climate change through emissions reduction and adaptation strategies is crucial for reducing the frequency and severity of climate-related health impacts. Investing in renewable energy sources, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and developing resilient urban planning are integral to these efforts. Such investments address climate change and support broader efforts to combat AMR by reducing environmental pressures that contribute to resistance.
International collaboration and governance frameworks are indispensable in addressing the global challenges posed by AMR and climate change. These frameworks should promote information sharing, capacity building, and equitable access to resources. Global health agencies, such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), play pivotal roles in facilitating collaboration and setting international standards for antimicrobial use and climate resilience.
An approach that integrates health, environmental, and socio-economic considerations is necessary to effectively tackle these threats. By investing in R&D, promoting sustainable practices, and fostering international cooperation, the global community can develop strategies to mitigate the impacts of AMR and climate change. Such an approach will help safeguard public health, enhance ecological stability, and ensure socio-economic resilience, ultimately securing a healthier and more sustainable future for all.
Takeaways
The interconnected threats of AMR and climate change demand urgent and coordinated global action. Each poses challenges to human health, the environment, and socio-economic stability, but their convergence magnifies the impact, creating a complex web of risks that transcends borders and disciplines. Addressing these threats requires integrated strategies that recognise their interconnectedness, fostering resilience through sustainable practices, robust healthcare systems, and international cooperation. By enhancing surveillance, promoting responsible antimicrobial use, and mitigating climate change, we can build a future that not only curbs the rise of resistance and mitigates environmental degradation but also strengthens the foundations of global health and ecological integrity. The path forward necessitates innovation, investment, and a unified global commitment to safeguard the wellbeing of current and future generations. Let us hope that the United Nations General Assembly meeting in September 2024 to address this issue will energise international responses.
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3 months, 2 weeks ago
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