Climate change is the biggest threat to public health

More than 200 major medical journals around the world published an editorial on Monday warning that global warming is already affecting people's health. In fact, he does it in such a way that urgent action is not postponed .

If we are currently involved in a global fight against COVID-19, the head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said before the publication of the aforementioned editorial: “The risks of climate change could outweigh those of climate change. “The COVID-19 pandemic will end, but here is no vaccine for the weather crisis. Each action taken to limit emissions and global warming brings us closer to a healthier and more secure future .

The editorial was written by the editors of prestigious publications such as The Lancet, East African Medical Journal, Brazilian Journal of Public Health and International Nursing Review. He says that since the pre-industrial era, temperatures have risen by about 1.1 degrees Celsius. This has led to a quantity of health issues .

“Over the past 20 years, heat-related mortality in people over 65 has increased by more than 50%,” the publication says. "Rising temperatures have resulted in increased dehydration and loss of kidney function, skin neoplasms, tropical infections, negative mental health effects, pregnancy complications, allergies, morbidity and mortality. cardiovascular. And pulmonary. " It also refers to the decline in agricultural production, "which hinders efforts to reduce malnutrition". All of these consequences would affect the most vulnerable: minorities, children and the poor 

 

According to the UN Intergovernmental Piece on Climate Change, global warming could reach + 1.5 ° C above pre-industrial levels around 2030. And with the continued loss of biodiversity, “it risks increasing. cause catastrophic damage to health, which will be impossible. . upside down, ”warns the editorial staff. "Despite the world's concern over COVID-19, we cannot wait for the pandemic to pass to reduce emissions quickly ."

The publication of the opinion precedes the main calendars for this fall's climate negotiations. In November, world leaders will meet to discuss new commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the COP26 conference in Scotland. "The current strategy of encouraging markets to switch to cleaner technologies is not enough," the editorial says. "Governments must step in to support the overhaul of transportation systems, cities, food production and distribution, financial investment markets, health systems and more."