Climate Crisis Poses Global Health and Progress Threat, Lancet Countdown Report Warns
The world is currently facing a challenging reality as the climate crisis takes center stage, posing a severe threat to public health and jeopardizing decades of progress. The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change, in its 8th annual report released today, sheds light on the alarming convergence of factors that put individuals, healthcare systems, and global well-being at risk.
Multiple pathways serve as manifestations of the climate crisis, including the exacerbation of food insecurity, the proliferation of climate-sensitive diseases, and the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. These factors are exerting unprecedented strains on health systems worldwide, demanding immediate and comprehensive action.
Dr. Maria Neira, the WHO Director for Environment, Climate Change and Health, expressed her satisfaction with the report, emphasizing the need to address the pressing challenges posed by the health and climate crisis. She highlighted the importance of transitioning to renewable energy, reducing emissions across sectors, and building adaptation and resilience in order to pave the way to a sustainable future. Dr. Neira believes that the upcoming COP28 will be a crucial moment to address health issues and generate ambitious outcomes for a healthier and more resilient world.
The Lancet Countdown Report reveals a surge in the health impacts of climate change worldwide, resulting in devastating consequences for lives and livelihoods. Vulnerable populations, such as adults over 65 and infants under one year old, are now experiencing twice as many heatwave days per year compared to the period between 1986 and 2005. The increasing destructiveness of extreme weather events also jeopardizes water security and food production, putting millions at risk of malnutrition. In 2021 alone, the statistics show that due to more frequent heatwaves and droughts, an additional 127 million people in 122 countries experienced moderate to severe food insecurity, compared to the annual figures from 1981 to 2010.
Moreover, a changing climate has accelerated the spread of life-threatening infectious diseases. For instance, the expansion of Vibrio bacteria-friendly coastal areas by 329km each year since 1982 has put a record 1.4 billion people at risk of diseases such as severe wound infections, sepsis, and diarrheal diseases. These risks have particularly surged in Europe, where Vibrio-suitable coastal waters have increased by 142km per year. Worsening health inequities are evident as health systems around the world face increasing strain, with 27% of surveyed cities expressing concerns about being overwhelmed by climate change impacts.
While the urgency of present health threats is evident, it serves as a dire warning for the future. The world is currently heading in the wrong direction, heavily reliant on fossil fuels and leaving vulnerable communities behind in the transition to sustainable energy sources. The implementation of the Paris Agreement is not only crucial for the environment but also vital for public health. Failure to take meaningful action towards the Agreement’s 1.5°C goal will result in severe consequences, such as an increase in malnourished children, more frequent disease outbreaks, and a rise in respiratory-related fatalities. Urgent action is paramount.
To address the climate crisis effectively, a holistic and health-centered approach is needed. Such an approach has the potential to save millions of lives annually and promote health equity. It centers around the human right to health, which is closely entwined with the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.
Echoing the call to action outlined in the Lancet Countdown Report, the World Health Organization (WHO) stresses the importance of bolstering climate resilience while championing low-carbon and sustainable pathways. Governments must take the lead by phasing out fossil fuels in a just, equitable, and rapid manner, and transitioning towards clean and renewable sources of energy. This transition will not only mitigate climate change but also improve air quality for 99% of the global population, reducing the negative effects of air pollution.
With the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change approaching in the United Arab Emirates, WHO invites all nations to prioritize health in international climate action. Collaborative efforts are essential to ensure a prosperous future for all, with a focus on protecting the health and well-being of both present and future generations.
