The director general of the COP28 conference recently revealed that an entire day of the summit would be devoted to addressing the relationship between climate change and public health. The event aims to emphasize the importance of taking concrete steps to reduce the risks posed by climate change to human health.
Climate change poses significant challenges to the health of people all around the world, and it is crucial to recognize the urgent need for action to mitigate these risks. The upcoming Health Day at COP28 will provide a unique opportunity to discuss the impacts of climate change on health and the potential solutions that can be implemented to address them.
The discussions will highlight the potential benefits of taking action to address climate change, including improved COP28 outcomes, reduced air pollution, and increased access to clean water and sanitation. The Health Day at COP28 will also serve as a platform for health experts, policymakers, and advocates to collaborate on innovative solutions and create a pathway for progress toward a more sustainable and equitable future.
The challenges posed by climate change to global health are daunting, but the upcoming Health Day at COP28 offers a glimmer of hope for progress and a brighter future for all.
According to COP28 Director General
During the initial Forecasting Healthy Futures (FHF) Summit, the director general of COP28, Majid Al Suwaidi, stated. “We will have a health day at COP28, where we will work with member states and partners to ensure that we are breaking down silence, and we will bring together ministers’ policymakers, and practitioners from health, finance, climate, energy, and other sectors,”
The FHF Summit is a three-day meeting where experts in global health, climate, and technology come together to elaborate on the harmful effects of climate change on human health. It also discusses the efforts to control and eliminate diseases. This meeting is particularly important because there are growing concerns about the impacts of climate change on health. The summit aims to design a plan of action to prepare for COP28.
Losses Due to Climate Change
The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that between 2030 and 2050, climate change will lead to roughly 250,000 extra deaths every year. Climate change will also cost USD $2-4 billion annually by 2030 due to the direct harm it causes to people’s health.
According to the statement of Dr. Ghebreyesus, “Extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, land degradation, and food security and water scarcity have a profound impact on the health of millions of people. The effects of global warming will only accelerate unless we take action now to tackle the root cause of climate change,”
This means that global warming can have serious consequences for our health and financial well-being. The rising temperatures, rising sea level, extreme weather events, and changing climate patterns can lead to a range of health problems, such as heat stroke, respiratory illnesses, and the spread of diseases like malaria and dengue fever. These issues can result in increased healthcare costs and lost productivity, leading to a significant economic impact.
Challenges
We need to take collective action to address the connection between climate and health. This means acknowledging that these two issues are closely related and that we must prioritize the most affected communities. COP28 Health Day presents an opportunity to drive fair and rapid progress on climate change and to create a future where people can thrive rather than survive.
It is essential to recognize that the planet’s health and the well-being of its inhabitants are closely intertwined. Different effects of climate change, such as increasing temperatures, extreme weather events, and the spread of diseases, can have significant impacts on human health, particularly for vulnerable communities.
To address these challenges, we must prioritize the needs of those most affected, including communities in low-income areas and developing countries. We must take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transition to renewable energy technology, and build resilient green economy and infrastructure that can withstand the effects of climate change.
COP28 Health Day provides a platform for governments, organizations, and individuals to come together and prioritize the intersection of climate and health. By taking concerted action, we can create a future where everyone has access to clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment. This future will require innovation, collaboration, and a willingness to prioritize the needs of those most affected by climate change.
