During COP28, the first-ever Health Day took place on December 3. This significant event emphasised the crucial connection between climate and health, emphasising that addressing climate change is indispensable for promoting global well-being.
Climate change poses an imminent threat to global health, with India witnessing an intensification of these challenges due to its high population density and the dependence of a significant populace on climate-sensitive sectors. The adverse impacts range from direct effects, such as heatwaves and floods, to indirect consequences like the rise in vector-borne diseases and increased air pollution.
Placing health at the heart of climate response planning not only enhances community resilience and disease mitigation but also fosters economic and strategic advantages by reducing healthcare costs and optimising the overall effectiveness of climate actions. This article explores the necessity, benefits, and roadmap of integrating health into climate planning in India.
The 28th UN Climate Change Conference
- The 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) was held in Dubai, UAE.
- This event came at a time when the Earth is facing severe challenges.
- The year witnessed record-breaking heat, devastating wildfires, and destructive floods.
Climate Crisis And Public Health
- The climate crisis is also a public health crisis.
- We’re seeing severe temperatures, heat stress, and excessive rainfall.
- The frequency of extreme weather events has increased.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has termed climate change as the greatest global health threat in the 21st century.
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Impact On Marginalised Communities
- The worst impacts of climate change are borne by marginalised communities.
- According to the World Bank, climate change could push over 100 million people back into extreme poverty by 2030.
- This is largely due to the negative impact on health.
- The climate risk index indicates that eight out of the 10 most affected countries are low- and middle-income nations.
Also Read: Key Takeaways From COP28
COP ‘Health Day’: Need Of An Hour
Health Professionals Urge Climate Action
- In early November, health leaders representing over 46 million health professionals worldwide made a public call.
- They demanded the COP28 Presidency and world governments to commit to a rapid and fair phase-out of fossil fuels.
- They see this as the key to global health.
- At the COP, over 1,900 health professionals prioritised health and well-being in climate decisions.
Significant Events At COP28
- COP28 saw an unprecedented focus on people’s health.
- Notable was the COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate and Health .
- This declaration symbolises a global commitment to tackle climate-related health impacts.
- The goal is to strengthen healthcare systems.
- As of now, 143 countries back this declaration.
Climate-Health Ministerial At COP28
- The first-ever climate-health ministerial was hosted at COP28.
- Nearly 50 Ministers of Health and 110 high-level health ministerial staff were present.
- They included ministers of health, environment, finance, among others.
- They devised a roadmap to tackle the increasing burden of climate change on healthcare systems.
- They also aimed to realise the socio-economic benefits from improved health and well-being through climate action.
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Climate Crisis In India
- India is experiencing a notable rise in extreme weather phenomena, including heat stress events, cyclones, and floods, over the past 20 years.
- In 2019, the Global Climate Risk Index ranked India as the seventh most affected nation by climate change.
Daily Disasters
- A report by Down To Earth magazine and the Centre for Science and Environment, titled ‘India 2023: An assessment of extreme weather events,’ highlighted the severity of the situation.
- India faced a daily disaster for the first nine months of 2023, ranging from heat waves to landslides.
- These disasters have led to the loss of 2,923 human lives, affected 1.84 million hectares of crops, destroyed over 80,563 houses, and killed approximately 92,519 livestock.
Economic Implications Of Climate Change
- According to the most recent Reserve Bank of India report, by 2030, extreme heat and humidity could risk about 4.5% of India’s GDP due to reduced labour hours.
Air Pollution And Health Challenges
- India’s rising air pollution has serious health implications, causing around 1.6 million premature deaths in 2019.
- Major public health challenges in India include malaria, malnutrition, and diarrhoea.
- The expected increase in these health issues, coupled with weather-related disasters, threatens
Why Health Should Be Prioritised In Climate Planning In India
Health-Centric Climate Planning – A Necessity
- India’s rural population, comprising over 700 million individuals, depends on climate-sensitive sectors. These sectors include agriculture, fisheries, and forests.
- They also rely heavily on natural resources. Key resources include water, biodiversity, mangroves, and coastal zones.
Strategic Value Of Health In Climate Planning
- Adopting health as a core element in climate planning improves both short-term and long-term well-being.
- This approach boosts community resilience and disease control. It ensures that communities can effectively manage climate change impacts.
Economic And Strategic Benefits
- Placing health at the heart of climate planning is economically sensible. It reduces healthcare costs and improves productivity.
- It is also strategically significant. It increases the overall effectiveness and sustainability of climate actions in India.
Source: Unpacking the first ever COP ‘Health Day’ (The Hindu, December 25, 2023)