Climate Change Threatens Global Health as Heat Deaths Rise 36% – Report

 

Climate-related deaths have increased significantly across the world, with heat linked to a record 710,000 deaths in 2023, according to the 2026 Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change.

 

The report, released 10 years after the Paris Agreement entered into force, warned that several climate-related health challenges were worsening faster than governments’ responses.

 

It said annual average heat-related deaths increased by nearly 36 per cent in the years following the Paris Agreement compared with the preceding decade, with more than 70 per cent of the 710,000 heat-related deaths recorded in 2023 attributable to human-induced climate change.

 

The report, produced by an international collaboration of researchers and institutions led by University College London in strategic collaboration with the World Health Organisation, tracks 54 indicators connecting climate change with human health.

 

However, the report acknowledged progress in global efforts to address climate change, noting that investment in clean energy reached a record $2.1tn in 2025.

 

It added that countries which had reduced fossil fuel-related air pollution were protecting thousands of people from premature deaths annually.

 

The report also identified improvements in climate-resilient healthcare systems, including increased adoption of national health adaptation plans and climate-informed early warning systems.

 

The Head of WHO’s Climate Change, Air Quality and Energy and Health Unit, Dr Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum, said climate change was already affecting human health across all regions.

 

“Climate change is already harming health in every region of the world, and the evidence shows that many of these impacts are accelerating,” he said.

 

Campbell-Lendrum added that climate action was also a public health intervention, explaining that cleaner energy, stronger healthcare systems and early warning mechanisms were already saving lives.

 

He urged countries preparing for the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP31, to place public health at the centre of their climate policies.

 

The report’s authors called for climate change to be formally recognised and addressed as a global health emergency, urging governments to integrate health considerations into climate mitigation, adaptation and financing policies.

 

They also called for accelerated reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, increased support for climate adaptation and greater investment in resilient healthcare systems.

 

WHO said it was responding to climate-related health threats through disease surveillance, climate-informed early warning systems, health adaptation planning, technical guidance and emergency response operations.

 

The organisation, which serves as the secretariat of the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health, said the initiative brings together health ministries and partners to develop climate-resilient, low-carbon and sustainable healthcare systems.

 

It further disclosed that it had activated a graded emergency response and Global Incident Management Team since September to address anticipated health consequences of the ongoing El Niño event, particularly in vulnerable countries.

 

The report was produced by 146 researchers from more than 100 institutions across over 30 countries, with WHO providing strategic collaboration and technical leadership on climate change and health.

Midterms Vote: The World Watches as America Decides Trump’s Fate

 

By Boniface Ihiasota, Washington DC and Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman, Nigeria

 

The elections, scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2026, will determine the balance of power in the United States Congress, where Republicans currently control both chambers. Although President Donald Trump is not seeking election, his administration’s policies, economic record, immigration programme, foreign military engagements and relationship with America’s democratic institutions have become central issues in the campaigns.

 

The stakes extend beyond Washington. The election could influence America’s position on international conflicts, trade negotiations, foreign assistance, immigration, climate policy and its relationships with strategic partners across Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

 

A battle for control of Congress

 

At the centre of the 2026 midterm elections is the struggle for control of the 119th United States Congress and the direction of the federal government during the final two years of Trump’s second presidential term.

 

The American Congress consists of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. While all 435 seats in the House are contested every two years, senators serve six-year terms, with approximately one-third of the Senate facing election every two years.

 

According to the Associated Press, this year’s election coverage encompasses 35 Senate contests, all 435 House seats, 36 gubernatorial contests and 5,587 state legislative races. The wider electoral exercise covers nearly 7,000 races across the 50 states.

 

Republicans entered the final campaign period with a narrow 218-214 advantage in the House of Representatives, with two vacancies and one independent member who caucuses with Republicans. In the Senate, they hold 53 seats against the Democrats’ 47.

 

The arithmetic makes the contest particularly consequential. Democrats need a net gain of four seats in either chamber to establish a majority. That relatively small numerical shift could transform the political relationship between the White House and Congress.

 

A Democratic victory in the House would place the speakership within reach of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York. It would also give Democrats control of important congressional committees, including those responsible for oversight, appropriations, national security and investigations.

 

Republicans, meanwhile, are fighting to preserve their legislative advantage and prevent the emergence of a divided government that could frustrate the president’s policy objectives.

 

The Senate presents a more complicated challenge for Democrats because of the geographical distribution of competitive seats and the states in which Republicans are defending their positions.

 

Trump’s presidency faces its first major electoral verdict

 

Perhaps the most important political dimension of the election is that it represents the first nationwide electoral assessment of Trump’s second administration.

 

Since returning to the White House in January 2025, Trump has pursued an aggressive political and economic programme, seeking to reshape immigration enforcement, federal spending, international trade, taxation and America’s military posture.

 

His supporters regard his approach as an attempt to restore American economic strength, strengthen national security, protect domestic industries and challenge what they consider an entrenched political establishment.

 

His opponents, however, argue that the administration’s approach has intensified political divisions, created economic uncertainty and weakened confidence in American democratic institutions.

 

The latest polling suggests that the president is entering the election under considerable political pressure.

 

A Reuters/Ipsos survey completed on October 26 put Trump’s approval rating at 32 per cent, one percentage point above the previous week’s record low. More significantly, registered voters preferred Democratic congressional candidates over Republicans by 47 per cent to 36 per cent in the generic congressional ballot.

 

When undecided voters were asked which party they were leaning towards, the Democratic advantage stood at 50 per cent to 41 per cent. Among likely voters, Democrats also maintained an advantage of 53 per cent to 44 per cent.

 

The poll surveyed 1,679 American adults, including 1,280 registered voters, with a margin of error of two percentage points among all adults and three percentage points among registered voters.

 

These figures suggest that Republicans are facing a difficult electoral environment. Nevertheless, national polling should not be confused with a prediction of individual constituency outcomes. Congressional elections are determined by separate contests across states and districts, not by a single nationwide popular vote.

 

A party can win the national congressional vote and still fail to secure control of the Senate because of the geographical distribution of its support.

 

The election is therefore not simply a referendum on Trump’s popularity. It is also a test of the ability of both parties to convert national political sentiment into victories in strategically important constituencies.

 

The economy: The issue that could determine the outcome

 

Economic anxiety has emerged as one of the strongest forces shaping the 2026 midterm campaign.

 

For many American households, the central question is no longer simply whether the economy is growing, but whether economic growth is translating into affordable housing, lower food prices, manageable electricity bills, employment opportunities and improved living standards.

 

The administration has pointed to economic expansion, employment and investment as evidence that its policies are producing results. However, the political challenge is that positive national economic indicators do not necessarily translate into improved financial circumstances for ordinary households.

 

A Reuters economic assessment published on November 2 reported that the American economy expanded at an annualised rate of 3.4 per cent in the previous quarter, while business investment increased at an annualised rate of 12.7 per cent.

 

Unemployment stood at 4.2 per cent in September, and the country had maintained an unemployment rate at or below 4.5 per cent for five consecutive years, the longest such period on record.

 

Yet the same report identified persistent inflation and affordability concerns as major sources of public dissatisfaction.

 

Consumer prices and average hourly earnings had both increased by approximately 5.5 per cent since Trump assumed office in January 2025. This meant that, in broad purchasing-power terms, workers had experienced little improvement in their financial position.

 

Mortgage rates exceeding seven per cent have also placed homeownership beyond the reach of many households, particularly younger Americans and first-time buyers.

 

This contradiction between economic growth and household frustration presents a serious political problem for the Republican Party.

 

The Democratic Party has sought to turn affordability into a central campaign argument, accusing the administration of failing to adequately address the cost-of-living pressures confronting working and middle-income Americans.

 

Republicans, on the other hand, have defended their economic programme, arguing that tariffs, tax policies, deregulation and domestic investment are necessary to strengthen American industries and improve long-term prosperity.

 

The election will offer an important indication of which argument has gained greater acceptance among voters.

 

Iran war, foreign policy and the price of American leadership

 

One of the most significant developments distinguishing the 2026 midterms from previous American election cycles is the extent to which foreign policy has become connected to domestic economic concerns.

 

The US military campaign against Iran, launched in February 2026 alongside Israel, has introduced a major national security and economic dimension into the election.

 

The conflict has affected energy markets, particularly because of disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic maritime passage through which a substantial proportion of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas trade moves.

 

The consequences have extended beyond the Middle East, with higher energy costs contributing to inflationary pressures and renewed uncertainty in international markets.

 

For Democrats, the conflict presents an opportunity to challenge the administration’s foreign policy decisions and scrutinise the financial resources committed to military operations.

 

A Democratic-controlled Congress could exercise greater influence over defence appropriations, military funding and congressional oversight of the conflict.

 

However, it would be inaccurate to assume that a change in congressional control would automatically terminate American military operations. The president retains substantial constitutional authority over the conduct of foreign policy and military operations, although Congress possesses important powers over funding, legislation and oversight.

 

Immigration, identity politics and the changing American electorate

 

Immigration remains another defining issue in the election, particularly among Hispanic voters and communities with significant immigrant populations.

 

Trump returned to office promising tougher border enforcement, mass deportations and stricter immigration controls. His administration has subsequently expanded immigration enforcement and strengthened the authority of federal agencies responsible for implementing its policies.

 

For Republicans, immigration remains an important political issue because the party believes stronger border controls respond to longstanding concerns about national security, illegal migration and pressure on public services.

 

However, the administration’s enforcement methods have attracted criticism, including concerns about deportations, family separation, detention practices and the treatment of immigrants.

 

The political consequences could be significant because Hispanic voters have become increasingly important to electoral calculations in several battleground states.

 

In the 2024 presidential election, Trump made substantial gains among Latino voters compared with previous Republican presidential candidates. However, economic dissatisfaction and concerns about immigration enforcement have raised questions about whether some of those voters will maintain their support.

 

The battleground states that could determine the Senate

 

Although the House of Representatives is widely considered the Democrats’ more attainable opportunity, the Senate contest could become the defining political struggle of the election.

 

The Senate’s geographical composition means that a party’s national popularity does not automatically translate into a majority.

 

Several races have attracted particular attention because they could determine whether Republicans retain control.

 

Among the states receiving significant attention are Maine, Ohio, North Carolina, Iowa, Alaska, Georgia, Texas, Michigan and Kansas.

 

In Alaska, Republican Senator Dan Sullivan faces Democratic former Representative Mary Peltola. The contest has attracted additional attention because another candidate bearing the same name as the incumbent is also on the ballot.

 

Alaska operates a ranked-choice voting system, making the distribution of voters’ subsequent preferences important to the final outcome.

 

Iowa is another significant contest. Republican Senator Joni Ernst’s decision not to seek re-election has created an open-seat race between Republican Representative Ashley Hinson and Democratic state Representative Josh Turek.

 

Kansas has also become unexpectedly competitive. Republican Senator Roger Marshall is defending his seat against Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton, despite Trump’s 16-percentage-point victory in the state in 2024.

 

The importance of Kansas lies in what a Democratic victory would signify: the possibility that dissatisfaction with the administration is extending into traditionally Republican territory.

 

Ohio and Texas are equally important because Republican victories there would strengthen the party’s chances of retaining the Senate, while Democratic breakthroughs would substantially change the national political calculation.

 

Campaign financing: The influence of money in American democracy

 

The 2026 midterm elections have also exposed the enormous financial resources required to compete in modern American politics.

 

Campaign advertising, political action committees, digital campaigning, television commercials and direct-mail operations have become essential components of electoral mobilisation.

 

According to Reuters, more than $3.8bn had been spent on aired political advertisements as of October 12, making the campaign an exceptionally expensive midterm election cycle.

 

The report also identified approximately $366m in political spending by billionaire businessman Elon Musk to support Republican candidates during the election cycle.

 

In a separate assessment published on November 2, Reuters reported that Trump had spent more than $277m, largely through his MAGA Inc. super PAC, on television advertising and direct-mail activities supporting Republican candidates.

 

Musk’s expenditure included approximately $276m since July.

 

These figures raise important questions about the influence of wealthy individuals and organised financial interests in American democratic competition.

 

Although campaign financing is constitutionally protected within the American political system, the growing financial concentration surrounding elections has intensified debates about political access, accountability and the influence of private wealth over public policy.

 

The 2028 presidential election begins with the 2026 midterms

 

Although the immediate objective is control of Congress, the political consequences of the midterms will extend into the next presidential election scheduled for November 2028.

 

For Democrats, the results will provide an opportunity to determine which political message offers the strongest prospect of defeating the Republican Party in the next presidential contest.

 

The party has faced internal disagreements over whether it should embrace a more populist economic programme focused on working-class concerns or adopt a centrist strategy aimed at winning back moderate and independent voters.

 

A strong performance by progressive candidates could strengthen the argument for a more aggressive economic and social policy platform.

 

Conversely, victories by moderate Democrats in competitive districts could reinforce the argument that electoral success depends on appealing to politically diverse constituencies.

 

Republicans will also use the outcome to assess the future of Trump’s political movement and identify potential successors.

 

Although Trump cannot constitutionally be elected to a third presidential term, his influence over the Republican Party remains considerable.

 

The midterms could therefore shape the emergence of a new generation of Republican presidential contenders and determine whether the party continues to define itself primarily through Trump’s political philosophy or begins a gradual transition towards a post-Trump leadership structure.

 

The election is, in this sense, also an early contest over the political future of both parties.

 

What happens if Democrats win, and what if Republicans retain control?

 

The implications of the election will depend significantly on the final distribution of congressional victories.

 

If Democrats secure the House while Republicans retain the Senate, the United States will enter a period of divided government.

 

Such an arrangement would make it more difficult for Trump to advance major legislative proposals, particularly those requiring approval from both chambers.

 

Democratic leaders could use committee control to investigate executive decisions, demand documents, summon officials and examine controversial government programmes.

 

Appropriations negotiations could also become more complicated, increasing the possibility of legislative deadlock and disputes over federal spending.

 

If Democrats secure both chambers, the political consequences could be considerably greater.

 

The administration would face stronger congressional opposition, more extensive oversight and increased resistance to legislative proposals.

 

However, a Democratic majority would not automatically provide sufficient votes to override presidential vetoes or pass every proposal. Constitutional requirements, Senate procedures and internal party disagreements would continue to constrain legislative action.

 

If Republicans retain both chambers, Trump would have a stronger opportunity to continue implementing his legislative programme.

 

Republican leaders could pursue additional tax and spending measures, defence priorities and changes to federal regulatory and social programmes.

 

Such a result would also strengthen Trump’s influence within his party and potentially weaken internal Republican opposition to controversial administration policies.

 

Neither outcome would remove the constitutional separation of powers that defines American government. What would change is the political balance within those institutions.

CARICOM seeks stronger biodiversity data to meet global targets

 

The Caribbean Community, CARICOM has called for stronger biodiversity statistics, data collection and monitoring systems to improve conservation efforts and track progress towards global environmental targets.

 

The call was made by the Senior Project Officer, Sustainable Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, Ms Teshia Jn Baptiste, during side events at the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Armenia.

 

Representing the secretariat, Jn Baptiste said the Caribbean had made progress in biodiversity conservation through investments in protected areas, the integration of biodiversity into national development policies and inclusive governance arrangements.

 

However, she said stronger data systems were needed to measure results, guide policy decisions, improve accountability and monitor progress towards the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

 

Speaking at an event titled Responding to the Global Review: Sharing Sub-Regional Syntheses of Progress Towards the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, she emphasised the need to expand successful conservation initiatives across the Caribbean.

 

“CARICOM has demonstrated that progress is possible where we have invested in protected areas, biodiversity mainstreaming and inclusive governance. We should now focus on scaling these successful approaches across the Region to accelerate implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework,” she said.

 

Jn Baptiste also advocated a whole-of-government approach that integrates biodiversity considerations into agriculture, tourism, fisheries, infrastructure and national development planning.

 

At another side event, Connecting Regions, Accelerating Action: Strengthening the TSCC Network for KMGBF Implementation, she highlighted the role of the CARICOM Technical and Scientific Cooperation Centre in building national capacities through technical expertise, training, technology and knowledge-sharing.

 

She cited regional initiatives involving geographic information systems, DNA-based monitoring tools, early warning systems and citizen science as examples of how cooperation could improve biodiversity monitoring and data management.

 

“Small Island Developing States often face similar capacity constraints, and we can achieve greater impact by sharing technical expertise, training programmes, monitoring tools and implementation support through regional platforms,” she said.