The Climate Crisis: An Imminent Challenge for Human Health
In a world where the climate crisis is advancing by leaps and bounds, its direct impact on human health is often underestimated. The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a clear warning at COP28: climate change is not just about CO2 emissions, black carbon, and global warming; it’s a public health emergency we are already facing.
Extreme weather events, atmospheric pollution, and limited access to vital resources like drinking water and nutritious food are not just environmental issues. They are vectors of diseases, malnutrition, and a series of challenges that threaten the health and well-being of millions. Unfortunately, the most vulnerable populations are the most affected, exposing deep inequalities in our society.
Faced with this scenario, the WHO proposed integrating health policies into global climate discussions, especially at crucial events like COP28. The goal is twofold: to mitigate the effects of climate change and to prepare our health systems to effectively respond to this new reality.
The climate crisis is a call to action. It invites us to reconsider how our actions impact the planet and, in turn, our own health. Only through a collective effort and an integrated vision of public health and the environment can we hope to face and overcome this monumental challenge.