The World Health Organization and the global health community are urging urgent action on climate and health at COP28
The World Health Organization and the global health community are urging urgent action on climate and health at COP28. With a focus on the impact of climate change on health, they emphasize the need for resilient health systems, reduced emissions, and increased financing to address the present danger climate change poses to global health. The article calls for negotiators to recognize that climate action is health action, stressing the profound consequences of inaction on the well-being of current and future generations.
Calling all environmental advocates and health enthusiasts! 🌱🌍 The global health community, led by the World Health Organization (WHO), is sounding an urgent alarm at COP28, demanding immediate action on climate and health. Dive into the article to discover the critical steps needed to safeguard our planet and well-being.
In the lead-up to COP28, the World Health Organization (WHO) is taking center stage alongside the global health community, passionately calling for swift action on the pressing intersection of climate change and health. With a tone that is both professional and informative, this article sheds light on the imperative steps needed to address the challenges our planet faces.
"Prioritizing health is not just a choice; it is the foundation of resilient societies,” emphasizes Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. As the world grapples with extreme weather events and a rapidly heating planet, the WHO stresses the urgency of placing human health at the forefront of global discussions.
The impact of climate change on health is alarming, with heat-related deaths among those over 65 rising by 70% worldwide in the last two decades. The health community asserts that only a dedicated effort to limit warming to 1.5 °C will prevent a future more severe than the current scenario.
The article delves into the cascading effects of climate change on healthcare infrastructure, citing examples like last year's floods in Pakistan, which displaced 8 million people and affected 33 million overall. Forecasts indicate that without bold action, climate change could displace approximately 216 million people by 2050.
In parallel, the climate crisis is affecting global food systems, compromising water sources, and catalyzing a surge in infectious diseases. The health community urges decisive and collaborative action to mitigate these impacts and build a sustainable future.
As the health community calls for action, the article outlines key interventions, including upgrading vector control, epidemiological surveillance, and ensuring access to safe water and sanitation. The importance of reducing and stopping emissions is stressed, with 7 million premature deaths annually attributed to air pollution.
The article explores the role of health systems in contributing to emissions, advocating for greening the health sector. It highlights the need to address the financial disparity in health systems, calling for increased financing and divestment from fossil fuel subsidies.
With COP28 set to host the first-ever Health Day, where a record number of health ministers will attend, the global health community is united in demanding a commitment to building resilient health systems, reducing emissions, and prioritizing health. The Ministerial session promises to amplify urgency by bringing global leaders together to implement sustainable solutions.
As the world unites at COP28, the call for decisive action resonates: climate action is health action, and our collective well-being depends on recognizing and addressing this reality.
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