The World Health Organization (WHO) calls for prioritizing health in climate change negotiations at COP28
As the world braces for the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the global health community are sounding the alarm on the urgent need to address the impact of climate change on human health. With extreme weather events becoming increasingly frequent and severe, and the vulnerability of healthcare infrastructure exposed, the time for action is now. In this crucial moment, negotiators must recognize their responsibility to safeguard the health of populations worldwide and prioritize health in global climate discussions.
The Devastating Impact on Human Health
The recent extreme weather events around the world serve as a terrifying preview of the future in a rapidly heating world. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that nearly half of humanity, approximately 3.5 billion people, live in areas highly vulnerable to climate change. Heat-related deaths among the elderly have risen by 70% globally in the past two decades, according to WHO. To prevent a future worse than the present, urgent and bold action is needed to limit warming to 1.5 °C.
Strained Healthcare Infrastructure
The increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, including droughts, floods, and heatwaves, also pose a strain on healthcare infrastructure. Last year’s floods in Pakistan displaced 8 million people and affected 33 million overall, highlighting the need for resilience in the face of climate change. Without immediate action, climate change could displace approximately 216 million people by 2050, according to World Bank forecasts.
Threats to Food Systems and Infectious Diseases
Climate change not only jeopardizes lives and livelihoods but also poses significant challenges to global food systems. As compromised water sources compound these challenges, infectious diseases like dengue and cholera are on the rise. The health community emphasizes the need for decisive and collaborative action to mitigate the health impacts of the climate crisis and build a sustainable future for all.
Strengthening Resilient and Sustainable Health Systems
To address the unprecedented challenge climate change poses to health systems worldwide, it is crucial to strengthen these systems to be resilient, low carbon, and sustainable. Failing to act swiftly would leave health systems vulnerable to the overwhelming impacts of climate change. Upgrading key interventions such as vector control, epidemiological surveillance, and access to safe water and sanitation, as well as training health staff, are essential steps in adapting health systems to climate change.
Mitigating Emissions and Greening the Health Sector
Reducing and stopping emissions is vital to minimize the negative impact on health. Air pollution alone is responsible for 7 million premature deaths annually, according to WHO. Urgent mitigation measures, including transitioning to clean energy sources, are necessary to protect human health and create sustainable outcomes. The health sector must also play its part by decarbonizing health systems, digitalizing medicine, and implementing sustainable practices in hospitals and healthcare facilities to reduce the sector’s global emissions.
Access to Clean Energy and Financial Support
Over 1 billion people worldwide lack reliable or any electricity in their healthcare facilities. The health community calls for accelerated access to clean energy, particularly in low-income countries. WHO is working with partners to electrify health-care facilities through renewable energies and reduce reliance on diesel and gas. Additionally, the health community highlights the financial disparity in health systems and calls for increased financing from new sources, divestment from fossil fuels, and mobilization of funds to support health systems in coping with climate change.
Conclusion:
As COP28 approaches, the health community’s urgent call for climate and health action grows louder. The intersection of climate change and health demands decisive action from negotiators, recognizing that climate action is health action. Strengthening health systems, reducing emissions, and prioritizing health are crucial steps in creating a healthier and more sustainable future. The inaugural Health Day and Ministerial session at COP28 will further amplify the urgency for action and solidify the commitment to address the critical nexus of health and climate change. The legacy of COP28 must be a commitment to a healthier planet, where climate action is driven by the imperative to protect global well-being.
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