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.
Denne historien er fra December 04, 2023-utgaven av The Straits Times.
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Denne historien er fra December 04, 2023-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Response to retention of Siglap block shows everyday buildings have value
As to what to do with it now, one could look to Hong Kong's Mei Ho House for inspiration
Worker taken to hospital after falling 2.3m at RTS Link construction site
A construction worker was injured on Oct 10 after falling from a height of about 2.3m at a worksite for the upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link station in Woodlands North.
Battered Florida begins long road to recovery after major hurricanes
Many still without power, water and sewage services; clearing of debris may take months
Famous red gate at Tokyo university in danger of collapsing
TOKYO — Generations of Japan’s top scholars and leaders have passed through it on their way to building an advanced society. Now the Akamon Gate, the distinctive red gate on The University of Tokyo’s campus in central Tokyo, is in danger of collapse.
Northern Lights animate night skies around the globe
NEW YORK - Night skies came aglow on Oct 10 with the shimmering palette of the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis.
Remains of climber who went missing 100 years ago found on Everest
KATHMANDU – A documentary team discovered human remains on Mount Everest apparently belonging to a man who went missing while trying to reach the summit of the peak 100 years ago, National Geographic magazine reported on Oct 11.
From timber to tech Sibu's spotty transition to joining Sarawak's booming economy
SIBU, Sarawak - On the hour-long cruise along Sibu's waterfront, a recorded audio commentary boasts that the town once had more millionaires than anywhere else in Borneo, thanks to the post-war timber boom.
Two Singaporeans among six opera performers arrested in Penang
BUTTERWORTH, Penang - Six foreign opera actors, including two Singaporean women, were apprehended in Penang, Malaysia, for allegedly breaching their social visit passes by staging performances.
Woman in Russian tank factory sent to penal colony for selling info to Ukraine
MOSCOW - A woman who worked for a Russian tank factory was convicted of treason and sentenced to 12 1/2 years in a penal colony on Oct 11 for selling military information to Ukraine.
Malaysians capitalising on stronger ringgit to buy gadgets
GEORGE TOWN, Penang - With the ringgit on an upward trend, upgrading electronic gadgets seems to be on everyone's minds in Malaysia now.
