Urgency of Public Health Solutions
According to the World Health Organization, there is a general consensus
amongst scientists that climate change is a major scientific and medical
challenge. Climate change threatens the lives and health of countless
people, coastal cities and local economies(26). Goal 13 of the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) calls for urgent action to combat
climate change and its impacts. The Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded that climate
risks are appearing faster and will become more severe sooner than
previously expected, and it will be harder to adapt with increased
global heating(27,28). These challenges created by the climate crisis
intertwine with demographic, socio-economic, and environmental factors,
influencing both the magnitude and the pattern of risks.(29).With the
rise in global temperatures, heatwaves, droughts, and other adverse
conditions of the weather with a corresponding rise in illnesses of
concern. Health repercussions arising from climate change encompass heat
stress, communicable diseases, air pollution, inadequate food and water
security, extreme weather occurrences, malnutrition, stress, mental
health challenges, vulnerable shelter, and population migration, among
other factors(30). Workplace hazards linked to climate change consist of
elevated ambient temperature, air pollution, exposure to ultraviolet
radiation, severe weather conditions, and the spread of vector-borne
diseases such as malaria, accompanied by the expansion of
habitats.(30–32)Researchers worldwide have warned of the
intensification and severity of various drastic climatic impacts
especially on the health of individuals affected by this crisis.(26)
.Case studies conducted by Ebi et al., 2017 using scientific methods
show it is plausible that a proportion of the current burden of
climate-sensitive health outcomes can be attributed to climate change.
Effective policy measures in the forthcoming years are imperative for
achieving these internationally endorsed goals, focusing on
decarbonizing the economy and fortifying resilience against the
challenges posed by a progressively warmer and more extreme climate.
Despite notable strides, public health still lags, particularly when
considering the gravity of the crisis we currently face(34). Years of
gains in the public health sector is now threatened by the change in
these climatic conditions and hence the need to work earnestly to limit
global emissions and keep it to the threshold as ratified by the
countries in the Paris Agreement of 2015(35). Emerging health
complications related to changing climate can be minimized and avoidedvia effective mitigation and adaptation strategies(31). Despite
the numerous monetary pledges made by the world moguls which in itself
is the first step and the ratification of documents by different
countries signatory to different conventions as well as the determined
contributions of the different nationalities to the fight against the
climate crisis, there is the need for implementation of the contents of
these documents and redemption of the pledges. It is essential for
health professionals, especially emergency clinicians, to confront the
intersection of climate and health. This entails actively participating
in the assessment, intervention, management, evaluation, education, and
referral processes for individuals presenting to emergency departments
with potential climate-related health impacts(36). Disparities in
vulnerability across various regions are intricately linked to a
nation’s, region’s, and locality’s ability to manage and prepare for the
consequences of climate change. This is intricately tied to economic
conditions, social stability, and the availability and prioritization of
resources for health systems. Additionally, global risks are not evenly
distributed, with their impact shaped by the levels of social and
economic development and the quality and accessibility of healthcare.
The advent of climate change is poised to heighten existing health
challenges and inequalities, creating wider gaps between regions, within
nations, and among diverse population segments. Particularly at risk are
vulnerable groups, including the elderly, children, pregnant women, and
those managing conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, lung
disease, and mental illness.(29,37)