The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on Ministers of Health around the world to raise their voices for health as the driving force behind climate action, and to lead by example with climate-friendly healthcare systems, as well as advocating for climate finance that safeguards wellbeing.
“The most compelling reasons for climate action are not in the future - they’re right here, and right now,” Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General told a meeting of Heads of State and leading experts in health and climate change. “The climate crisis drives the extreme weather that is taking lives around the world, it fuels the spread of infectious and noncommunicable disease, and it undermines food security. I am grateful to the COP28 UAE Presidency for choosing health as a priority area, and for designating December 3 as a day dedicated to health.”
The gathering of Heads of State and other experts to discuss critical concerns around the intersection of climate and health priorities took place during the UN General Assembly in New York this week (September 18), ahead of the UN Climate Conference’s (COP-28) first-ever ‘Day of Health’.
The central theme of the event underscored that the climate crisis is, unequivocally, a health crisis. Climate change poses an imminent and severe threat to human health, affecting nearly half of the world's population today, not in some distant future.
Alarming statistics have revealed that one in four deaths can be attributed to preventable environmental causes, with WHO estimating an additional 250 000 people are dying every year due to climate change. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, air pollution, wildfires and compromised water, land and food security result in lives lost and negatively impact infectious diseases, heat-related illnesses, noncommunicable diseases and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
The health consequences of climate change carry significant economic ramifications. The World Bank estimates that up to 132 million people will fall into poverty by 2030 due to direct health impacts of climate change, and approximately 1.2 billion people will be displaced by 2050. Furthermore, investments in health yield substantial returns, with studies showing that every dollar invested in health can generate up to US$ 4.
“Climate change is the biggest threat to health in the 21st century and our very survival is at stake,” said Dr Vanessa Kerry, WHO Director-General Special Envoy for Climate Change and Health. “We can no longer afford to suffer from the pandemic of poor and expedient choices which continue to harm our planet and its population. We must invest in human wellbeing, such as resilient health systems that can ensure adaptation to the growing burdens of disease and impacts of extreme weather and heat that are killing us daily.”
The COP28 Presidency also confirmed its unwavering commitment to the Day of Health.
“We are resolute in our determination to address the challenges posed to health by climate change and encourage ambitious investment in the health sector,” said Dr Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President-Designate. “Our goal is to build resilient, equitable health systems capable of withstanding the impact of climate change. COP28 is determined to shine a light on these issues and to bring together partners who can make a positive difference.”
