DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The U.N. climate talks in Dubai are not just about the environment, but also about the impact of climate change on human health. The COP28 summit has shifted its focus from lofty rhetoric to the immediate and present threats to health caused by global warming.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the urgent need for a “Health Day” at the U.N. Conference of Parties on climate, highlighting the immediate threats to health from climate change.
As the summit moves into tough negotiations over the next nine days, the impact of climate change on human health is becoming a central point of discussion. The spread of diseases like cholera and malaria, as well as the deaths of at least 7 million people globally from air pollution each year, are raising concerns among participants.
Protests have also begun at COP28, with participants calling attention to the urgent need for action. Dr. Joe Vipond, an emergency room physician from Alberta, Canada, emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that “we’re kind of in a lot of trouble right now.”
Not a lot of people know that the climate crisis is a health crisis.
–Dr. Yseult Gibert
While the promises made by 50 oil and gas companies to reduce methane emissions are seen as a step in the right direction, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized that they fall short of what is required. The impact of temperature rises caused by the burning of oil, gas, and coal has worsened natural disasters and caused many people to migrate to more temperate zones.
John Kerry, the U.S. climate envoy, highlighted the interconnectedness of the environment and human health, stating that “if you poison our land and you poison our water and you poison our air, you poison our bodies.”
Climate change is also affecting the health sector, with the U.S. aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from healthcare. Dr. Yseult Gibert of Montreal emphasized the need for climate-friendly healthcare practices, stating that some types of anesthesia are more climate-friendly than others.
Forest fires, heat waves, and poor air quality are all contributing to the health crisis caused by climate change. The COP28 declaration, backed by 120 countries, stressed the link between health and climate change, pledging to support efforts to curb health care sector pollution.
The impact of human activity on the climate is visible in Dubai, a city that often faces higher levels of air pollution due to its location. As the summit continues, the urgent need to address the health crisis caused by climate change is becoming increasingly apparent.
The Dubai government listed its Air Quality Index level mostly at “good” on Sunday, but IQAir, a Swiss vendor of air-quality monitoring products, listed Dubai as the city with the 18th-worst air quality in the world. This highlights the immediate need for action to address the health crisis caused by climate change.
Great article! It’s important to understand the connection between rising temperatures and human health, especially in the context of the UN Climate Talks. #ClimateChangeAwareness
The consequences of rising temperatures on human health cannot be ignored. It is crucial that we take action to address climate change and protect our well-being.