Climate Change Takes Centerstage at Davos Annual Meeting: Experts Discuss Impact on Human Health
Climate change has become a pressing issue that is affecting the health of human beings globally. At the annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, where leaders from around the world gather, the topic of climate change has taken center stage. The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks report highlighted that climate change is among the biggest risks the world faces over the next decade. The report also pointed out that half of the most severe threats in the world over the next 10 years are environmental, including extreme weather events, critical changes to Earth’s systems, biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse, and a shortage of natural resources.
Experts at the annual gala discussed the impact of climate change on human health. Shyam Bishen, Head of Healthcare at the World Economic Forum, emphasized that the global disease burden is increasing due to climate change. Both non-communicable and communicable diseases are on the rise, with vector-borne diseases like Dengue and Malaria becoming more prevalent. The economic losses from climate impact on human health are estimated to be around 12.5 trillion dollars by 2050.
Cheryl A. Moore, Chief Research Programmes Officer at Wellcome Trust, highlighted the need for more climate funding to protect human health. She mentioned that only half a per cent of multi-lateral climate funding has been allocated to human health protection, despite a quarter of the global burden of diseases being linked to environmental crises.
Vanessa Kerry, CEO of Seed Global Health and Special Envoy for Climate Change and Health at the World Health Organization, labeled climate change as a health crisis. She pointed out that climate change is impacting stability, security, economic growth, and the fundamental future of the globe. Countries like Zambia are already facing health crises, such as Cholera outbreaks due to increased rainfall. The predictions of human deaths doubling by 2050 due to climate change are alarming.
Bill Anderson, CEO of Bayer, discussed the need for crops to be climate resilient. He shared examples of climate-resilient crops developed by the company, such as a shorter corn crop that is less susceptible to extreme weather events. These climate-resilient crops can help farmers mitigate the impact of climate change on food production.
The World Health Organization has highlighted the various ways in which climate change is impacting health, including the spread of diseases, disruptions in food systems, and mental health issues. Climate change is exacerbating food and nutrition crises, increasing the spread of vector-borne diseases, and posing immediate and long-term mental health challenges.
In conclusion, the experts at Davos emphasized the urgent need to address climate change to protect human health. The interdependence of humans and the environment underscores the importance of taking action to mitigate the impact of climate change on health. Initiatives like the Banega Swachh India campaign are working towards creating a clean and healthy India by raising awareness about the importance of environmental sustainability and public health. It is crucial for individuals, communities, and governments to come together to combat climate change and safeguard the health of future generations.