Climate change poses threats to human health that could set back global health standards and development by about 50 years, experts say.
A new report released on Tuesday, June 23, in The Lancet tackles the benefits of eliminating fossil fuel usage to overall human health in the 21st century.
The report was produced in collaboration with numerous experts in various scientific fields and was compiled by a group of specialists including European and Chinese health professionals, geographers, climate experts, energy scientists, sociologists, environmental scientists and biodiversity experts.
Margaret Chan, head of the UN World Health Organisation (WHO), is a key supporter for this report.
The paper states that more than technology or finance, politics is now the major hindrance in the distribution of low-carbon energies in industries and other emergent advancements in health and poverty.
Nearly 200 nations committed to the average temperature elevation of 2°C in industries to help restrict the effects of climate change, but through observation of current trends, scientists are predicting that temperature rise could reach up to 4°C, giving way to possible floods, droughts, storms and increase in sea levels.
"Climate change is a medical emergency," said Hugh Montgomery, co-author and director of the University College London Institute for Human Health and Performance. "It thus demands an emergency response using technologies available right now."
The report explains the direct and indirect impacts of climate change. Direct impacts are those that come from major environmental emergencies such as floods and extreme weather changes. Indirect impacts pertain to the secondary health effects of significant climate and environmental changes such as rise in infectious diseases, malnutrition, pollution and social conflicts.
The authors say medical professionals should step up to put an end to people's inclination to fossil fuels, addressing widely established interests such as tobacco use.
Climate change is a significant health issue that is often disregarded during planning and debates, says Professor Anthony Costello, director of the UCL Institute of Global Health and co-chair of the commission. With this, the commission is gearing towards turning the catastrophic picture, as Costello described, into an encouragement that can help to improve human health.
The panel of experts states that there are various ways to acquire positive health effects by taking steps toward alleviating climate change. For example, respiratory diseases may be prevented if burning fossil fuels will be put to a halt. Encouraging people to walk or use their bicycles will not only reduce pollution and accidents but also decrease the risk of heart diseases, diabetes and obesity.
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