The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that climate change is a pressing health crisis, calling for immediate global action ahead of the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan. In a newly released report, WHO highlights the devastating health impacts of climate change, from record-breaking heatwaves to deadly floods, hurricanes, and wildfires worldwide.

The report warns that extreme weather and air pollution contribute to millions of premature deaths annually and exacerbate the spread of infectious diseases such as dengue, malaria, and respiratory infections. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that climate-related health risks outweigh the costs of action, advocating for measures like clean energy, sustainable urban planning, and robust health systems to protect global populations.

As the UN summit coincides with heightened geopolitical concerns, WHO has urged leaders to integrate health considerations into climate strategies. The organization outlined six recommendations, including ending fossil fuel reliance, mobilizing climate funds, and safeguarding natural ecosystems. Tedros stressed that these steps are not only necessary but life-saving, underscoring the critical nature of COP29 for global health and climate policy.

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