Publication
Nature Health Study Reveals Hidden Loneliness Risks from Climate Change
Rüdersdorf, 04. February 2026
How does climate change affect people beyond physical destruction and environmental damage? A new review published in Nature Health led by experts at the Brandenburg Medical School and Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin suggests that climate change is not only damaging the environment but also increasing the risk of social isolation and worsening mental health. However, there is still hope: new programs show that social connection can protect from the negative effects of climate change, and even reduce mortality rates during heat waves.
Social connection is a fundamental human need. It is well known that social isolation and loneliness are associated with chronic diseases like heart conditions, strokes, diabetes and dementia, and overall poorer health. Identifying the factors that break social connections and lead to loneliness is important to improve the health of the population.
Although climate change is well known to cause environmental and physical health crises, a new review published in Nature Health by Dr. Samia C. Akhter-Khan, Prof. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, and Prof. Shuyan Liu highlights that the impacts of climate change go far deeper. According to Dr. Akhter-Khan, climate change is increasingly associated with loneliness and social isolation.
Climate-related disasters, such as extreme weather events like floods and heat waves, can break social networks and reduce everyday social contact. Such events have also been shown to increase conflict and violence. The effects of social isolation are worse for marginalized and vulnerable people, who are already at higher risk of experiencing loneliness. The authors highlight how inadequate support further worsens physical and mental health and leads to the progression of disabilities.
What can we do about this? The researchers highlight several programs, each aiming at increasing social connection in the context of climate change. While people who live alone are more likely to die from extreme weather events, building strong social ties can make communities more resilient during climate disasters and recover more effectively. “Neighborhood programs, where neighbors check-in on older people who live alone, can actually reduce mortality rates during heat waves. Climate engagement can be another valuable form of creating social resilience and reducing loneliness, especially amongst older generations who are often blamed for their passivity in climate action.” says Dr. Akhter-Khan from Brandenburg Medical School who led the paper as first author. “If we can create more opportunities for older people to engage in climate action, we can transform the narrative of older people as valued contributors to the environment and decrease intergenerational tensions.”
The researchers highlight that there is still more to understand in this emerging research intersection. For example, understanding how loneliness and social isolation can influence behaviours that impact climate change through shaping political opinion or believing in conspiracy theories and climate denial requires further research.
As extreme weather events intensify globally, the cost of social isolation and loneliness are expected to rise. Future climate policy interventions and public health measures could help connect communities and prevent the consequences of climate change from extending deeper into the social and psychological fabric of our societies and instead, create a society that is both climate-resilient and socially resilient.
Contact:
Dr. Samia C. Akhter-Khan
Nachwuchsgruppenleiterin CARE Lab
Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg
E-Mail: samia.akhter-khan@mhb-fontane.de