The grim fact that our planet’s changing climate is closely linked to human well-being became clear as I read through the pages of the WMO report on climate services and their impact on health.
The new report on Climate Services for Health by the World Meteorological Organization highlights the critical role that precise climate data plays in preserving our health.
The analysis identified a rise in health risks linked to climate change, particularly impacting vulnerable communities.
As I delved into the statistics, it was evident that climate services weren’t a luxury, but a fundamental necessity for our well-being.
I was stunned when I read that 50 per cent of future excess mortality from climate change is projected to occur in Africa and parts of Central America between 2030 and 2050, with the primary causes being heat stress, malaria, diarrhea, and hunger.
These figures don’t just reflect numbers. They stand for individual lives, families, and communities dealing with the effects of global warming.
“According to the IPCC, they’ve ‘high confidence’ that by 2100, climate change will most significantly impact heat-related mortality in Central and South America, southern Europe, southern and southeast Asia, and Africa due to rising global temperatures,” the report read.
Doesn’t this dire prognosis force us to acknowledge that climate services are a lifeline for communities facing health problems brought on by climate change and not a side issue?
While North America isn’t in such dire straits, who’s to say this fate won’t befall us if we fail to consider the transformative potential of climate services and equip ourselves with the tools to thrive in the face of climate challenges?
The report also highlights how crucial early warning systems are to reducing the effects of catastrophic weather occurrences. Climate services can help communities plan and adapt by giving them fast and reliable information.
The Early Warnings For All initiative states that “giving just 24 hours’ notice of an impending hazardous event can reduce damage by 30 per cent.”
If we have access to reliable climate data we can be proactive in creating resilient healthcare systems thanks to climate services.
Healthcare facilities can be outfitted to manage the spike in patients during extreme weather events, and hospitals can be positioned strategically to reduce exposure to flood-prone areas.
Additionally, climate services play a role in preventing disease. We can forecast the spread of vector-borne illnesses like dengue fever and malaria by examining climatic patterns.
The WMO study is a potent call to action, imploring us to acknowledge the mutually beneficial relationship between health and the climate.
I believe the utilization of climate services gives us the means to protect our communities and forge a path toward a healthier, more resilient future.