Overview

• A study published in *The Lancet Planetary Health* reveals that climate change disrupts every stage of the global blood supply chain, from collection to distribution.
• Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in February caused the cancellation of over 3,500 blood donation appointments and closure of 22 donor centers in Australia, showcasing the vulnerability of blood supplies to extreme weather events.
• Rising temperatures and increased rainfall are expected to intensify mosquito-borne diseases like Dengue Fever and Malaria, reducing the pool of eligible blood donors and complicating safety protocols.
• The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is expanding mobile donation units and opening new centers to build resilience, while researchers advocate for diverse donor recruitment and innovative technologies like drones and walking blood banks.
• Demand for blood is projected to rise due to climate-sensitive health conditions and disaster-related injuries, emphasizing the need for proactive measures and international collaboration.