https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)01822-1/fulltext
This 50-page paper starts: 'Despite the initial hope inspired by the 2015 Paris Agreement, the world is now dangerously close to breaching its target of limiting global multiyear mean heating to 1·5°C. Annual mean surface temperature reached a record high of 1·45°C above the pre-industrial baseline in 2023, and new temperature highs were recorded throughout 2024. The resulting climatic extremes are increasingly claiming lives and livelihoods worldwide.'
The paper 'brings together over 300 multidisciplinary researchers and health professionals from around the world to take stock annually of the evolving links between health and climate change at global, regional, and national levels'.
Here are a few selected extracts:
'The engagement of health professionals at all levels of climate change decision making will be pivotal in informing the redirection of efforts and financial resources away from activities that jeopardise people's health towards supporting healthy populations, prosperous economies, and a safer future.'
'Amid this geopolitical uncertainty and with misinformation increasing, upholding international agreements and driving evidence-informed action on climate change and health are imperative to protect the future of present and future generations.'
'As the challenges of tackling climate change grow, robust scientific evidence is increasingly necessary to inform effective, health-protecting policies.'
'As concerning records continue to be broken and people face unprecedented risks from climate change, the wellbeing, health, and survival of individuals in every country now hang in the balance.'
COMMENT (NPW): The word 'delay' is used 14 times (including the title) but it is notable that every use of the word delay notes the consequences, and not a single comment is addressed to understanding *why* there is such delay (for example, what are the factors that lead people to deny and ignore climate change). The words 'denial' and 'ignore' do not appear at all in this 50-page paper. As we have previously discussed on HIFA, there is a huge gap in understanding across most of the world's population with regards to current and potential future impact of climate change on health. National leaders continue to deny and ignore climate change, despite overwhelming evidence. A key question is: How better to meet the information needs of the general public, health workers and policymakers to take notice and take action. A detailed paper such as the above is important to strengthen the evidence base but these data need to be translated into policy and practice.
HIFA profile: Neil Pakenham-Walsh is coordinator of HIFA (Healthcare Information For All), a global health community that brings all stakeholders together around the shared goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information. HIFA has 20,000 members in 180 countries, interacting in four languages and representing all parts of the global evidence ecosystem. HIFA is administered by Global Healthcare Information Network, a UK-based nonprofit in official relations with the World Health Organization. Email: neil@hifa.org
