Climate change is altering the spread of waterborne diseases around the world, according to a comprehensive review published today in Nature Reviews Microbiology. The publication is the most up-to-date and comprehensive analysis to date examining how climate change influences waterborne diseases.

The review warns that more frequent extreme weather events could undermine decades of progress in reducing waterborne diseases, which contribute to nearly 1.2 million deaths from infectious diarrhea each year.

Led by researchers from the Colorado School of Public Health at the University of Colorado Anschutz and the University of Washington School of Public Health, the review found that climate change does not affect all disease-causing microorganisms, known as pathogens, in the same way.

Instead, bacteria, viruses and parasites each respond differently to changing environmental conditions, showing why managing the public health response should be tailored to specific pathogens. The review outlines practical steps that can help communities adapt to the growing threat of climate-driven waterborne diseases.

Travelling by fans dominates the climate damage of large-scale events, accounting for 82% of emissions for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 97% for Coldplay's 2024 European tour, new research suggests.

The location of new energy projects will play a significant role in meeting future demand in a changing climate, MIT researchers report. They created a way to make more climate-informed decisions about siting new energy systems, which can in turn make the grid more resilient and reduce blackouts.

The 2025 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change reveals the relationship between climate change and food insecurity: in 2023, an additional 2.7 million people across 26 SIDS experienced moderate or severe food insecurity due to the higher frequency of heatwaves and droughts. “The report makes it very clear, climate change is affecting health, food security, labour force, and the economies of SIDS more than in other parts of the world,” says CMCC researcher and co-author of the report Shouro Dasgupta. “What is more, these burdens are borne by nations responsible for less than 1% of the emissions that cause them.”

Europe must restore at least 30% of degraded wetlands within the next four years, but where should efforts be prioritised? Researchers from the University of Copenhagen now offer an answer with the first detailed map of Europe’s wetlands. The map fills a knowledge gap and shows where action could deliver the greatest benefits for climate and biodiversity.