Highlighting climate-health link vital in saving lives: WHO official

COP28 talks could be a turning point with first health day on Dec 3, she says

- David Fogarty

Every year, millions of people die from air pollution linked to fossil-fuel use, heatwaves and other increasingly severe weather-related disasters such as floods and droughts.

"The climate crisis is a health crisis," said Dr Maria Neira, the World Health Organisation's (WHO) global public health and environment chief.

But ambitious climate action could reduce human suffering and represent one of the world's greatest public health opportunities.

She tells The Straits Times' Green Pulse podcast that the COP28 climate talks could be a turning point, with the conference in Dubai hosting on Dec 3 the first health day for a United Nations climate gathering.

Negotiators from nearly 200 nations are in Dubai to try to agree on an ambitious deal that will pull the world back from the brink of a climate catastrophe, with 2023 already set to be the warmest on record.

Dr Neira said once negotiators understand that climate can affect the health of loved ones, friends and communities, this could be a powerful force in driving action.

"Until now, the narrative around climate change might be a little bit distant from the general public," she added, pointing to the greater focus on environmental impact or charismatic species such as polar bears.