The
annual climate negotiations have commenced in Baku, Azerbaijan, amidst an
atmosphere of caution and urgency. This year’s session comes on the heels of an
alarming report by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), which has
indicated that 2024 is on track to become the hottest year on record. Between
January and September, global temperatures have averaged around 1.54°C above
pre-industrial levels, surpassing the 1.5°C threshold set by scientists and
enshrined in international climate agreements as a critical limit. Although
this year’s unprecedented warmth can be partly attributed to the La Niña phase,
the inexorable increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide remains the primary
driver of this trend, exacerbating climate change with far-reaching consequences.
The
Paris Agreement, a landmark accord aimed at curbing global temperature
increases, strives to keep the rise well below 2°C, while pushing for efforts
to limit it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. However, the steady climb in
global temperatures underscores a stark reality: despite the global consensus
and periodic commitments, tangible progress remains elusive. The ongoing
escalation of CO2 concentration has propelled severe climate phenomena, ranging
from catastrophic rainfall and devastating floods to lethal heatwaves,
persistent droughts, and rampant wildfires. Yet, the climate crisis extends
beyond the immediately visible disasters. As articulated by UN
Secretary-General António Guterres, climate change is “hammering health,
widening inequalities, harming sustainable development, and shaking the very
foundations of peace.” This pervasive and multifaceted impact underscores the
magnitude of the challenge, irrespective of the anticipated discussions on
finance, adaptation, and mitigation at the current climate summit.
Health
Impacts: The Human Toll
One
of the most profound yet often understated consequences of climate change is
its toll on human health. The recent findings of The Lancet Countdown on health
and climate change underscore that populations in every country now confront
threats to their health and survival due to escalating climate hazards. Chief
among these is the rising exposure to extreme heat. In 2023, individuals
experienced, on average, an additional 50 days of dangerous heat exposure
compared to a world without climate change. This spike has led to a staggering
167 per cent increase in the annual deaths of adults over the age of 65
compared to the 1990s. Moreover, the report revealed that in 31 countries,
residents faced at least 100 more days of health-threatening heat than would be
expected in the absence of climate change.
The
physical and mental health implications of such heat exposure are considerable.
Sleep quality and physical activity are both adversely impacted, leading to a
decline in overall health and well-being. Outdoor workers, who make up
approximately 1.6 billion people or 25.9 per cent of the global working-age
population, are disproportionately affected. This demographic includes
agricultural laborers, construction workers, and those engaged in informal
sectors, all of whom face not only immediate health risks but also diminished
productivity, which in turn impacts their economic stability and livelihoods.
The
Surge in Disease Transmission
Another
critical area where climate change exerts a devastating impact is in the
proliferation of diseases. The warming climate, combined with extreme rainfall,
droughts, shifting land use, and increased human mobility, is accelerating the
spread of water-borne, vector-borne, food-borne, and air-borne diseases.
Dengue, a prime example, has seen a sharp increase over the past two decades,
facilitated by more favorable climatic conditions for mosquito vectors and
rising urbanization. In 2023 alone, the global tally for dengue cases reached
an alarming five million. Similar trends are observed in the spread of malaria;
rising temperatures have expanded the transmission zones for malaria-carrying
parasites like Plasmodium falciparum, with an additional 17 per cent of the
world’s land area becoming suitable for transmission. Additionally, changes in
the temperature and salinity of water bodies are leading to an increase in the
spread of water-borne illnesses, adding another layer of complexity to the
public health crisis.
The
Need for Resilience and Adaptation
Given
the protracted nature of climate negotiations, which have often prioritized
economic interests over urgent action, there is a pressing need to develop
climate-resilient health systems. However, adaptation presents its own set of
challenges. One proposed solution is the expansion of air-conditioning use to
combat heat stress. Yet, this approach is unsustainable due to its high costs,
significant energy requirements, and the emissions it produces. The increased
reliance on air-conditioning in urban environments exacerbates the ‘heat
island’ effect, compounding the very problem it seeks to address. A more viable
path forward involves leveraging renewable energy sources for cooling and
investing in innovative, low-energy cooling technologies.
Addressing
the spread of diseases like dengue requires a multifaceted approach that
includes reducing vulnerability through integrated vector control measures and
enhancing the responsiveness of health systems. Importantly, the global
healthcare sector itself, responsible for approximately 5 per cent of
greenhouse gas emissions, must adopt practices that reduce its environmental
footprint. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has emphasized that cities must
play a pivotal role in this transition. Urban policies influence public health
directly through their impact on air quality, energy use, urban design,
transportation, green space allocation, housing, and food access. Therefore, a
delay in transitioning to low-carbon and clean energy systems will invariably
perpetuate significant health harms.
The
Challenge of Climate Finance
All
adaptation and mitigation efforts hinge on the availability of robust climate
finance. Unfortunately, despite repeated pledges, the developed world’s
promises of financial support have largely failed to materialize. The lack of
substantial funding has impeded progress, leaving developing and poorer nations
struggling to adapt and transition to healthier, more sustainable practices.
The WHO has reiterated that “climate finance is ultimately health finance.”
Investing in climate action is an investment in safeguarding essential health
systems and ensuring human survival.
However,
the current state of climate finance is marked by a significant gap. Funds are
often repackaged as loans or debt relief, misleadingly labeled as climate
funding, which fails to address the urgent need for direct financial support.
To bridge this divide, a meaningful shift must occur at forums like the Baku
negotiations. Without the participation of influential global leaders—including
those from the US, China, Russia, France, and Brazil—the prospects for
substantive progress remain slim.
Aligning
Climate and Health Policies
The
intrinsic connection between human health and planetary health necessitates a
comprehensive alignment of climate and health policies. This alignment should
focus on implementing proactive measures that can mitigate the health impacts
of climate change while enhancing resilience. Policymakers must prioritize
funding for climate adaptation specific to health, particularly in vulnerable
regions. This includes investing in infrastructure that supports sustainable
energy, fostering urban planning that reduces emissions and supports public health,
and developing targeted interventions that reduce climate-related
vulnerabilities.
The
convergence of health and climate change is a critical issue that demands
urgent action. While the world continues to debate the intricacies of climate
policy, the human cost is mounting. To avert further catastrophic impacts, it
is essential to reframe climate finance as a direct investment in public health
and resilience. Only through decisive, well-funded action can we hope to
safeguard human health and maintain the viability of ecosystems that support
life on Earth.
(Email:
dipakkurmiglpltd@gmail.com)
