Just six climate actions could save 1.6 million lives a year, WHO says
The WHO is urging governments to scale up six measures to tackle the health impacts of climate change, saying they could save millions of lives while delivering major economic benefits.
Climate change exposes growing populations to its effects and the resulting health risks. An estimated 3.6 billion people live in areas that make them highly susceptible to climate change and its impact on health.
Implementing six climate and health interventions could prevent 1.6 million deaths every year – around one in every 40 deaths – and generate trillions of dollars in economic and fiscal benefits, according to a new World Health Organization (WHO) report published on Wednesday.
“The climate crisis is a health crisis, but much of the harm it causes can be prevented with tools we already have,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
The six actions are heat-health warning systems; climate-resilient drinking-water services; basic sanitation, hygiene and handwashing facilities; cleaner household fuels and technologies for cooking and heating and more effective fossil fuel pricing policies.
“Scaling up proven, affordable actions could save millions of lives, with the greatest gains in the countries that need them most,” Tedros said. “As governments prepare for the next round of climate negotiations, protecting health must be at the centre of climate action.”
Without additional intervention, selected climate-related health risks such as undernutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and heat stress are estimated to cause 250,000 premature deaths per year between 2030 and 2050.
By 2050, climate change could also expose an estimated additional 500 million people worldwide to vectors that transmit climate-sensitive diseases, the report noted.
What are the measures?
The interventions target different climate-related health risks, ranging from extreme heat and air pollution to infectious diseases and unsafe water.
WHO wants to see heat-health warning systems that alert populations to dangerously high temperatures and trigger responses such as promoting hydration, providing cooling facilities and reaching out to vulnerable groups.
On top of that, resilient sources of clean water to prevent shortages and contamination during extreme weather events, as well as access to basic hygiene services, should be ensured to reduce exposure to waterborne pathogens.
Switching to cleaner energy would reduce indoor air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions and can prevent deaths and illnesses linked to respiratory infections and chronic non-communicable diseases, including stroke, ischaemic heart disease, lung cancer and asthma, WHO said.
WHO is also calling on governments to introduce more efficient fossil fuel pricing policies by ensuring the price reflects fossil fuel impact on health, climate and the environment.
According to the report, phasing out fossil fuels delivers the largest health benefits, preventing more than one million premature deaths annually from non-communicable diseases, including stroke, ischaemic heart disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, as well as road traffic accidents, while generating US$5.4 trillion in fiscal benefits each year.
The other five measures, on average, every US$1 invested is estimated to generate US$24.8 in benefits, according to the WHO. Returns are expected to be even greater in low- and middle-income countries, helping to reduce health and economic inequalities.
