Ana Tuñas Matilla.- Madrid.- The World Climate Summit in Dubai, COP28, will include, for the first time in the history of conclaves to combat climate change, a day focused on human health, a milestone that recognizes that warming is not only affects the health of the planet, but also that of its inhabitants.
This step involves further developing the implementation of the “One Health” concept, which aims to emphasize that the health of nature, animals and people are interconnected and therefore the approach to health must be global.
Your social influence
The medical profession is “socially credible and influential”, supports the most vulnerable and strives to ensure a better present and future for all citizens, which is why it is important to give it greater prominence at climate summits, he told EFE Second Vice President of the General Council of the official medical associations of Spain, Rosa Arroyo.
“We are a fundamental group to carry out this necessary and urgent transformation” that humanity needs, both for its ability to influence society with “their millions of prescriptions, medical advice and actions” and through proactive measures to decarbonize the health sector.
Deadly heat waves
The World Health Organization (WHO), champion of the One Health concept, estimates that if no action is taken to address climate change, four of its major impacts will worsen (extreme weather events, poor air quality, food insecurity and infectious diseases). . ), which will lead to an additional 250,000 premature deaths per year from 2030.
According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), heat waves are the deadliest meteorological phenomenon linked to climate change, causing 489,000 deaths per year. She fears that mortality associated with extreme heat may be underestimated and could actually be 30 times higher. Countries lack reliable data.
Heat waves also worsen air pollution, mainly due to fossil fuel emissions, which in turn are largely responsible for global warming due to the greenhouse effect they cause.
According to the WHO, pollution alone is responsible for seven million premature deaths every year from cancer, cardiovascular disease and neurological diseases.
The climate crisis is also endangering global food systems and leading to an increase in infectious diseases such as dengue fever and cholera.
Avoid fossil fuels
In this context, the global medical and health community calls on countries participating in COP28 to commit to an “accelerated, fair and equitable phase-out of fossil fuels” as the only way to “improve the quality of air, water and… “Environment” to improve. Soil, the foundation of good health.”
“Without a safe and stable climate,” it is not possible to ensure the health and well-being of all people, says a document supported by organizations representing more than 46 million health professionals.
For COP28 to truly be the “COP of health,” it must address the root cause of the climate crisis: the extraction and continued use of coal, oil or gas, according to health experts who advocate ending dependence on fossil fuels improve the health prospects of future generations and save lives.”
Health, anchor of the climate agenda after COP28
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recently said that climate change is one of “the greatest threats to the health of humanity” and will soon exceed the capacity of health systems around the world if we do not act. .
The first COP Health Day will take place on December 3rd, when the first ministerial meeting on climate and health takes place.
There are also plans to release a WHO-backed statement during the summit highlighting health as an anchor of the climate agenda and an essential part of the legacy of COP28.
Just ahead of the summit, the WHO released a series of actions to improve the climate resilience of health systems while encouraging them to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to help protect health communities around the world.
A day before the COP, The Lancet published a report showing an apparent failure to curb climate change “seriously” and warning that if the target of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees is not met Annual warming-related deaths will increase 370% by mid-century.
Furthermore, the devastation caused by extreme climate events threatens the water security and food production of millions of people, adds the report, which reflects the work of 115 experts from 52 research institutions and UN agencies around the world.
However, “there is still room for hope,” said University College London chief executive and report participant Marina Romanello, who stressed that the health focus at COP28 is an opportunity to secure commitments and action. EFVerde
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