UN sounds warning on climate change health threat

GENEVA: Climate change poses a health threat through increasing weather disasters and extreme heat, the UN said on Thursday, calling for better warning systems that could be weaved into public health policy.

“Climate change threatens to reverse decades of progress towards better health and well-being, particularly in the most vulnerable communities,” the United Nations´ World Meteorological Organisation said.

The WMO said climate information was not sufficiently integrated into health service planning. “Scientific know-how and resources can help redress the balance, but are not sufficiently accessible or utilised,” it said.

The WMO´s annual State of Climate Services report said tailored climate information was needed to support the health sector to tackle more extreme weather and poor air quality, shifting infectious disease patterns and food and water insecurity. The report weeks ahead of the November 30-December 12 COP28 climate summit in Dubai.