By David A. Anaya
It is an undeniable fact that the climate crisis has had disastrous global consequences. It can be seen in the increased frequency of extreme weather events, the melting of the poles, and the rise in sea level. However, one of the most pressing concerns for the medical sector is the impact of the climate crisis on human health. The state of climate emergency has made us wonder how likely it is that new threats to environmental determinants of health will emerge. The response from the editors of over 230 medical journals is unequivocal and compelling: the climate crisis is already having an impact on human health.
As a result of the effects of the climate crisis, the number of deaths from high temperatures, dehydration and loss of kidney function, skin cancer, allergies, and heart and lung diseases has skyrocketed. As a public health issue, it affects all countries worldwide to ensure, and in some cases recognize, the human right to health.
If the world's governments do nothing to address rising global temperatures and environmental destruction, the health consequences could be irreversible. This statement was made just a few days before the United Nations General Assembly's 76th session, where the issue of global climate protection will be discussed.
Without the full commitment of states to take concrete steps to reduce polluting emissions, all good intentions to combat the climate crisis will evaporate.
Here are some hard facts from 2018:
2 million people have been displaced due to climate conditions.
Wildfires claimed the lives of 1600 people.
Extreme weather events have impacted 62 million people.
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