Climate change is the most immediate existential threat to our planet and is likely to worsen in the foreseeable future. Among its many adverse effects on human health, there is strong evidence linking climate change to the outbreak of infectious diseases. A recent analysis revealed that of the 375 infectious diseases affecting humans, 218 (58 %) may be exacerbated by climate risks. It is no longer a question of “if” but “when” an epidemic will be triggered or amplified by climate events. It is imperative that decisive action is taken urgently to mitigate the looming public health crisis exacerbated by climate change. We are part of the Climate Amplified Diseases and Epidemics Consortium, which was launched in early 2023. The consortium is comprised of leading molecular biologists, epidemiologists, ecologists and evolutionary biologists. (THE CONVERSATION AFRICA)