The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for a central focus on the impact of climate change on health during the upcoming COP28 summit in Dubai, which begins on November 30. With almost 3.5 billion people, nearly half of the global population, residing in areas highly vulnerable to climate change, WHO emphasized the urgency of prioritizing health as a foundation for resilient societies.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, stated, “Prioritizing health is not just a choice; it is the foundation of resilient societies. Leaders must deliver in Dubai, providing the strong health outcomes their peoples expect and their economies urgently need.”
According to WHO, heat-related deaths among individuals over 65 have increased by 70% worldwide in the last two decades. The organization emphasized that limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is crucial to preventing a future more severe than the current scenario. Extreme weather events, including droughts, floods, and heatwaves, are expected to strain healthcare infrastructure.
Last year’s floods in Pakistan displaced 8 million people and affected 33 million overall. Without immediate action, climate change could displace around 216 million people by 2050, as forecasted by the World Bank. The climate crisis poses threats to lives and livelihoods, impacting global food systems and compromising water sources.
WHO highlighted that climate change contributes to the spread of infectious diseases, such as dengue and cholera, endangering millions. The organization urged negotiators to recognize climate change as a direct threat to global health, emphasizing that it is a present danger affecting human health on multiple fronts.
To address the health impacts of the climate emergency, the global health community stressed the importance of reducing and stopping emissions. WHO emphasized the need for urgent mitigation measures, including transitioning to clean energy sources, to protect human health and create sustainable outcomes.
The health sector can play a role in reducing emissions by adopting sustainable practices, digitalizing medicine, and transitioning to cleaner energy sources. WHO is collaborating with partners to accelerate the electrification of healthcare facilities through renewable energies and advocate for climate-resilient health systems.
Recognizing the financial disparity in health systems, WHO’s Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health is dedicated to leveraging collective influence to advance climate-resilient health systems. The organization emphasized the essential need for a substantial increase in resources for the health sector, currently receiving only 0.5% of global climate financing.
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