The links between health and climate change
This year, the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) is hosting the 27th Conference of Parties in Katowice, Poland to discuss ways to combat climate change. The focus this year is on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, as well as promoting renewable energy. The health sector has been largely absent from these discussions. This needs to change for COP28-29. Poor air quality contributes to more than two million deaths per year globally, according to the WHO (World
Health Organization). Global warming will only worsen air pollution and increase vulnerability to heatwaves which can also lead to death. For example, in 2003 when there was a deadly heatwave in Europe, one estimate suggested that the death toll could have exceeded 70,000. For people with chronic illness such as heart disease or asthma attacks triggered by high temperatures may kill them at night because their bodies cannot cool down enough. People living near a power plant or factory may also be at risk due to exposure to toxic chemicals emitted by fossil fuels burning for power generation.
The impacts of climate change on health
Climate change is an issue that affects every aspect of our lives, from our physical and mental health to our economy, food supplies, and national security. These impacts are felt most acutely by marginalized groups such as indigenous communities, people living in poverty, women, children, LGBTQ2+ individuals, seniors, refugees and asylum-seekers.
The health implications of a warming world are vast and far-reaching, with potential effects on infectious disease outbreaks; maternal and child health; water quality; crop yields; natural disasters; obesity rates, migration patterns, conflicts over scarce resources - the list goes on. With so many interconnected factors at play, it is important to ensure that health considerations remain at the forefront of global efforts to address climate change. In order for this goal to be achieved, Canada needs to commit more funds and better coordinate its interventions with other countries . It should also recognize the link between climate change and human rights violations.
It is crucial that Canada continues to prioritize development goals rather than foreign policy objectives when addressing global issues like climate change. As we approach the next major round of talks, there has never been a greater need for Canadians' input on how best to protect their own interests, those of future generations, and vulnerable populations around the world
The health sector's response to climate change
Without a healthy population, it is impossible to achieve sustainable development. Climate change has already had an impact on health systems through extreme weather events such as floods, storms, droughts and heatwaves. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that by 2030 there will be 250 000 additional deaths per year due to climate-related causes. Climate change threatens water supply, food security and human settlements with increased frequency of natural hazards
. Exposure to these risks can cause acute illnesses such as diarrhoea or malaria, and long-term diseases such as chronic respiratory disease. WHO is concerned about the potential effects of climate change on people's mental health too: depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder can occur after experiencing extreme weather events. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples recognises their right to self-determination and that they are often disproportionately impacted by climate change. Yet they are also uniquely placed to provide solutions.
The way forward
World leaders have gathered again for the UN Climate Change Conference, this time at COP 27. The Paris Agreement is an important first step, but much more needs to be done to halt catastrophic global warming.
The health of people everywhere will suffer from the effects of a warming world. Extreme weather events like hurricanes and floods can leave communities with contaminated drinking water or food shortages. Rising seas mean coastal communities face increasing risk of flooding, which can lead to contamination or extreme weather-related diseases like malaria or dengue fever. And these are just some examples of how climate change puts human lives at riskrisks that can be reduced if we act now. That’s why it’s so important that health considerations are front and center during the ongoing climate change negotiations here at COP 27 in Katowice, Poland.
To make sure our future is sustainable and healthy, we need to start by addressing climate change today. So, as negotiators gather here at COP 27, I call on all nations and leaders to put their heads together and work towards making climate change mitigation one of their highest priorities. The most effective way to do this is through transitioning rapidly towards clean energy. From Germany there are many inspiring examples out there showing what works.
0 Comments