COP28 Puts Human Health at the Core of Climate Action

COP28 Puts Human Health at the Core of Climate Action: A Turning Point in Global Discourse

MAHABAHU TEAM (From COP28, DUBAI)

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: In a momentous shift at the COP28 summit in Dubai, the narrative has transcended beyond traditional environmental concerns, placing the intricate relationship between climate change and human health at the forefront of global discussions.

The third day of the conference unfolded as Health Day, a groundbreaking initiative that underscored the profound impact of climate change on the well-being of populations worldwide.

Unprecedented Financial Commitments

Climate Change: Individual Action Versus Collective Action

At the heart of this paradigm shift is a staggering financial commitment of $777 million, a collaborative effort led by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and various charitable organizations.

This substantial funding aims to combat neglected tropical diseases that are expected to escalate as temperatures continue to rise. COP28 President Sultan Ahmed Al-Jaber emphasized that climate-related factors have now emerged as one of the most substantial threats to human health in the 21st century.

The UAE, a frontrunner in this initiative, pledged $100 million, mirroring the commitment made by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Other nations, including Belgium, Germany, and the U.S. Agency for International Development, joined in with additional funds.

The World Bank launched a dedicated program aimed at exploring support measures for public health in developing countries, where the risks associated with climate-related health issues are particularly acute.

Tropical Diseases and Climate Change

The ramifications of climate change on health extend beyond general well-being to the exacerbation of neglected tropical diseases. These diseases, already endemic in regions like Africa, are poised to intensify as parasitic worms and flies proliferate in a warming world. Diseases such as river blindness and sleeping sickness, which are relatively easy to treat, have now become focal points in the discourse around the intersection of climate change and human health.

COP28 Puts Human Health at the Core of Climate Action

Health Day at COP28

In a historic move, COP28 hosted the first-ever Health Day, a collaborative effort between the conference organizers, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Wellcome Trust, and other key partners. This dedicated day delved into five pivotal topics, creating a comprehensive platform to address the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change to human health:

Showcasing evidence-based connections between climate change and human health.

Promoting the health arguments for climate action and highlighting the co-benefits of mitigation.

Addressing needs, barriers, and best practices for reinforcing climate resilience in health systems.

Identifying and scaling adaptation measures to counteract the impacts of climate change on human health.

Focusing on action at the nexus of health and relief, recovery, and peace.

Health Ministerial Conference

A pivotal event during Health Day was the first-ever Climate and Health Ministerial Conference, which brought together ministers from health, environment, finance, and related sectors representing over 100 countries. This high-level conference aimed to formulate a roadmap and explore opportunities for action to tackle the growing burden of climate change on healthcare systems globally.

Sharm El Sheikh Adaptation Agenda

Adding further weight to the emphasis on health, the COP28 summit unveiled the first implementation report of the Sharm El Sheikh Action Agenda (SAA). The report delved into the intrinsic link between health and climate, reflecting a deepened understanding of how climate impacts are resonating through global health systems.

Initially launched at COP27 in 2022, the SAA comprised 30 global adaptation outcomes targeting 2030 across five priority systems: food and agriculture, water and nature, coastal and oceans, human settlements, and infrastructure. Noteworthy is the inclusion of health as a critical system, alongside an enhanced focus on water and natural systems due to their overarching influence on resilience across all sectors.

The report dedicated a substantial chapter to the impact of climate change on health, shedding light on both direct and indirect consequences for health systems and facilities. It underscored that the increasing frequency and severity of weather events, including heatwaves, storms, and floods, exacerbate climate-related health issues, contribute to mental health challenges, and strain healthcare services.

The report also highlighted the intricate interconnectivity between health and other systems, illustrating how climatic shifts disrupt agriculture and food security, escalate waterborne diseases, and place additional strain on infrastructure. This underscores the need for a comprehensive and holistic approach in climate adaptation strategies.

Global Recognition and Advocacy

The COP28 summit garnered support from over 120 countries for a declaration that explicitly acknowledged the link between health and climate change. While the declaration did not make direct references to phasing out fossil fuels, it pledged support for efforts to curb healthcare sector pollution, which contributes to 5% of global emissions, according to WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Challenges and Urgency

Amidst the announcements and commitments, activists and healthcare professionals staged a small demonstration within the COP28 compound, underscoring the real-world impacts of climate change on health. Stories such as a child succumbing to an asthma attack exacerbated by wildfire smoke and a 400% increase in malaria cases across Pakistan due to massive flooding served as poignant reminders of the urgent need for action.

In a poignant statement, Joseph Vipond, an emergency physician from Alberta, Canada, declared, “We are in a lot of trouble.” He recounted the case of a child whose asthma attack was intensified by smoke inhalation from Western Canada’s record wildfires. This, he emphasized, is not a theoretical concern but a real-world crisis with immediate consequences.

COP28 has become a watershed moment in the global discourse on climate change, elevating human health to the forefront of the agenda. The unprecedented financial commitments, dedicated health-focused discussions, and the recognition of the intricate links between climate and health represent a significant leap towards addressing the immediate and long-term health challenges posed by climate change.

As the negotiations continue over the next days, the world awaits further bold actions to safeguard the well-being of communities across the globe.

The urgency of the situation has been underscored, and the intersection of climate change and human health is no longer relegated to the peripheries of global discussions but stands tall as a central theme in the quest for a sustainable and resilient future.

03-12-2023

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