Uncertainties in computer-based projections of the impacts of climate change on human heath are reduced if uncertainties in temperature and humidity are combined rather than being regarded as independent, reports a paper published online in Nature Climate Change this week. This work suggests that uncertainties of all variables need to be considered together when completing impact assessments.

Impacts of climate change on human health often depend on many different factors. Erich Fischer and Reto Knutti investigated the uncertainties in impact assessments when using climate projections, and their results reveal the potential for joint assessment of projection uncertainties in the range of variables used in climate impact studies.