Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and environmental changes could promote the spread of antimicrobial resistance. A new review article summarizes the current state of research. A causal link has not yet been sufficiently proven, but there is strong evidence to suggest one.
Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and environmental changes could promote the spread of antimicrobial resistance. A new review article summarizes the current state of research. A causal link has not yet been sufficiently proven, but there is strong evidence to suggest one.
Climate change may play an additional role in the global increase of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This is the conclusion of a review by Dr. Erta Kalanxhi and Dr. Ramanan Laxminarayan, published in the journal Nature Reviews Microbiology. The researchers from the One Health Trust analyzed existing studies and describe several mechanisms through which rising temperatures, extreme weather, and ecological changes could influence the emergence and spread of resistant pathogens.
AMR refers to the ability of microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi to withstand antimicrobial drugs (including antibiotics and antifungals). It is estimated that around two-thirds of the approximately 7.7 million annual deaths from bacterial infections are already associated with resistance. About 1.2 million deaths are directly attributable to resistant pathogens.
More Infections – Greater Demand for Antibiotics
A key link is that climate-related changes can increase the frequency of infectious diseases. Higher temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, or flooding, for example, facilitate the spread of pathogens and their vectors. As a result, the demand for antimicrobial drugs rises. Every use of antibiotics contributes to the development of resistance.
Disruptions to infrastructure may also play a role. Floods or droughts can contaminate drinking water sources and impair sanitation systems. This facilitates the spread of pathogens between humans, animals, and the environment.
Direct Effects of Temperature on Microorganisms
In addition to these indirect effects, rising temperatures can also directly affect microorganisms. For instance, higher temperatures can accelerate bacterial growth and promote mutations. Furthermore, the exchange of antibiotic resistance genes between bacteria, a process known as horizontal gene transfer, may occur more frequently under certain conditions. Environmental changes could also unlock new sources of resistance genes. For example, thawing permafrost may release a greater diversity of such genes into soils and water systems.
Impacts on Agriculture and Ecosystems
The link between climate change and AMR does not only affect human medicine. In agriculture, climate-related crop failures, water scarcity, and more intensive livestock farming could increase the use of antibiotics in animal production. At the same time, temperature, humidity, and precipitation influence the spread of plant diseases and pests, potentially leading to increased use of pesticides. In addition, ecological changes such as deforestation or altered land use can intensify contact between humans, livestock, and wildlife, thereby increasing the risk of new infectious diseases.
Need for Comprehensive Global Strategies
Despite numerous indications, the scientific evidence is not yet sufficient to prove a clear causal link between climate change and antimicrobial resistance. Many studies show only statistical associations between rising temperatures and higher resistance rates.
At the same time, the researchers emphasize that fundamental infection control measures can already be effective today. These include access to clean drinking water, expansion of sanitation and hygiene infrastructure, improved diagnostics, vaccination programs, and the responsible use of antibiotics in human medicine, animal husbandry, and agriculture.
„The new review highlights what we are increasingly observing in our research: antimicrobial resistance is not only a clinical or veterinary challenge; it is closely linked to ecological and economic changes,” says Professor Ulrich Schaible, Director of the Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, and spokesperson for the research alliance Leibniz INFECTIONS. “We need integrated One Health approaches that consider environmental, human, and animal health together, alongside evidence-based policy strategies that no longer treat climate action and AMR containment as separate agendas.” The Leibniz INFECTIONS research network pursues this approach, with experts from many disciplines working closely together.
Source
Kalanxhi, E.; Laxminarayan, R. (2026): Climate change and antimicrobial resistance. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2026 Feb 6. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41579-026-01285-z