EU report: Climate change increasingly poses health threat

DPA
·1 min read
A local resident tries to clean a street from mud and water following floods. Climate change is exacerbating floods and droughts and reducing water quality, posing an increasing threat to people's health, according to a report published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) on Wednesday. Oliver Weiken/dpa
A local resident tries to clean a street from mud and water following floods. Climate change is exacerbating floods and droughts and reducing water quality, posing an increasing threat to people's health, according to a report published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) on Wednesday. Oliver Weiken/dpa

Climate change is exacerbating floods and droughts and reducing water quality, posing an increasing threat to people's health, according to a report published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) on Wednesday.

The Copenhagen-based EU agency called for swift action and better coordination between governments and authorities in order to limit or avoid health risks.

According to the report, one in eight Europeans already live in areas that are potentially susceptible to river flooding.

Elderly people, children, people in poor health, lower-income groups, farmers and rescue workers are the most affected by floods, droughts, forest fires or waterborne diseases and pathogens, according to the report.