Source: The Economist

Date Published: 08.07.2025

Link: How Climate Change Could Spread Malaria

Climate change and global warming is expected to exacerbate malaria and predominantly affect Africa. By 2050, the Malaria Atlas Project (MAP) estimated malaria deaths will increase by 550,000 cases. This is due to warmer weather causing longer malaria seasons, more rain will lead to increased breeding grounds, and climate change will also redistribute malaria-prone regions to areas with less resistance to the disease. Recent surges and outbreaks in Southern Africa have been seen including in countries such as Botswana, Eswatini, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. Current adaptation strategies include minibuses that provide free malaria screening and free malaria drugs for migrants who may be carrying the parasite. A new vaccine also seems promising.  Addressing this issue is critical as not only does it kill but it makes people poorer.