Bridging the Gap: Public Health at the Forefront of Climate Action

On the inaugural Health Day at the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) Environmental Health Working Group advocates for a renewed focus on the critical nexus between climate change and global health at the #COP28UAE Health Pavilion.

The urgency to address climate change resonates louder than ever. The WFPHA underscores the significance of acknowledging and mitigating the intricate links between climate change and the health and wellbeing of communities across the globe. This advocacy finds its foundation within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement – the principal global forums orchestrating the response to climate change.

At the heart of these international efforts, the WFPHA, through its Environmental Health Working Group, actively contributes to shaping discussions and policies that prioritize public health amidst the escalating threats posed by the climate crisis.

It is imperative to recognize the inseparable nature of the climate crisis and public health. From rising temperatures to unprecedented weather events, the WFPHA stresses the need for comprehensive strategies to address these challenges, placing public health at the forefront of the global agenda.

The climate crisis is not solely an environmental concern; it is fundamentally a health crisis. With this understanding, the WFPHA calls for immediate and concerted actions to safeguard the health and wellbeing of communities worldwide.

As we navigate the complexities of the climate crisis, the WFPHA urges leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to champion public health in climate action initiatives. The first Health Day at COP28 serves as a poignant reminder that the health of our planet and the health of its inhabitants are intricately interconnected.

Now is the time for bold commitments and transformative actions. The WFPHA Environmental Health Working Group stands steadfast in its commitment to advancing the discourse on climate change and health. Together, let us forge a path toward a sustainable future where health takes precedence in the global climate narrative.

Hannah Marcus, Co-Chair of the WFPHA Environmental Health Working Group, is set to address two crucial events at COP28.

On December 5, 2023, from 15:00 to 16:30, she will speak at ‘Accelerating a Just Transition for Healthy People and a Healthy Planet.’ Join us at Side Event Room 4, Zone B6, Building 83.

The following day, December 6, don’t miss her insights at ‘Breathing for a Better Tomorrow: Engaging Health Professionals and Civil Society for Clean Air and Healthy Climate,’ taking place from 3:15 to 4:30 pm GST at the WHO Pavilion.