June 17, 2026
A changing climate affects people, animals, plants, and germs in ways that increase infection Rates and antibiotic use.
How does climate change affect antimicrobial resistance?
- Rising temperatures enable some pests to survive all year round – necessitating more pesticide use.
- Heavier pesticide use increases the risk of contamination and development of resistance.
- Extreme heat, pollution, and malnutrition weaken our immune system – our natural defense mechanism against infections.
- Rising temperatures, floods, and droughts threaten food system security and safety. Air pollution and extreme heat can trigger acute and chronic inflammation, damaging tissues and increasing susceptibility to drug-resistant infections.
- Animals are vulnerable to extreme heat and extreme weather events, which raise the risk of infections.
- As the demand for animal protein increases, farmers may rely more heavily on antimicrobials to treat infections, exacerbating drug resistance.
- Some bacteria and fungi adapt to higher temperatures.
- Adaptation to higher temperatures makes microbes harder to kill and raises the risk of the emergence and spread of resistance.
- Floods and extreme weather can disrupt healthcare services and access to potable water and sanitation and force people to migrate.
- The growing phenomenon of climate refugees presents important challenges in AMR control as diseases spread and people are left more vulnerable to infections without access to services and infrastructure.
What can we do to control the impact of climate change on antimicrobial resistance?
- Research & Understand
Study how climate change affects our health and the spread of drug-resistant infections. - Prevent Infections
Improve access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Make diagnostics, antibiotics, and vaccines available to everyone. - Improve Agricultural Practices
Support better animal health and care.
Promote safe and responsible pesticide use.
Download the infographic here.
