Frontiers in Public Health, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 13

Опубликована: Фев. 4, 2025

The temperature of the atmosphere continues to rise as an effect climate change. According WMO (World Meteorological Organization) models, there is 80% likelihood that global warming will approach 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels in next few years, with severe direct and indirect impacts on human health (1). Addressing climate-health relationship therefore both highly relevant urgent. This editorial aims present a collection studies offer comprehensive perspective existing emerging issues related change, while providing some insights for policymakers guide future actions.The effects are manifold, affecting physical, emotional psychological wellbeing. Limited immediate ones, Hurricane Helene caused at least 130 deaths U.S., flooding Valencia 219, 2023 heat wave killed 47,000 people Europe (in excess what was expected) (2). These just recent examples limited rich countries, which catastrophic Low Middle Income Countries (LMICs) must be added, plus such increased risks infectious diseases damage agriculture food production. Although attributing individual episodes (floods, hurricanes) change difficult, their sequence intensity globally indicate having major impact. An international network called World Weather Attribution (WWA), establish causal links between events, calculated during Helene, observed precipitation 70% winds 150% more likely occur result (3).The Health Organization (WHO) estimates 2030 2050, could additional 250,000 annually (4) due malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, stress, disproportionately poorer nations healthcare resources tackle environmental challenges. Air quality, closely tied crisis, represents another risk. pollution, exacerbated by greenhouse gas emissions responsible approximately 6.7 million premature (WHO), vulnerable populations, children elderly, being particularly risk (5).The crisis not only physical issue but also profoundly affects mental health. Recent show experiencing complex responses, including depression, anxiety, insomnia (6).The human, social economic costs these phenomena very high, medium long term they outweigh mitigation, i.e., reducing emissions. In United States alone, number disasters costing than $1 billion each has from six 2002 18 2022 28 (7).The problem touches all generations especially youngest generations, creating inter-generational inequality. With increase warming, regional changes, even radical become widespread pronounced. legacy we leave generations.However, one justice intra-generational justice. coverage, its evenly distributed. rising temperatures, extreme weather biodiversity loss, combined degradation increasing do affect everyone equally. Those who have contributed problem, Indigenous communities, countries Global South, often ones bearing most consequences, exacerbating disparities well-being health.The continuing emergencies witnessing highlight urgency adequate prevention, given many casualties, destruction property waste public money. Prevention can done acting causes (mitigation) defending populations against (adaptation). As argued Colin Butler this special Frontiers Public Health, need bold new policies if hope avoid collapse civilization, addressing mitigation adaptation change's well-being. rely renewed way doing science-one does shy away difficult discussions, takes courageous positions, grounded rigorous scientific methods data.While discussions private sector mobilization political efforts implement measures been ongoing Emissions Gap Report 2024 UNEP documented yet record high emissions: 2023, reached 57.1 gigatonnes CO₂ equivalent, marking 1.3% compared previous year (8).Despite awareness, data reveal stark gap ambitions Paris Agreement concrete action, globally. achievement Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out Agenda lagging behind. analyses slow progress (only 17% overall SDGs), cases, outright regression 2015 (9).Consideration current obstacles action: export emissions, failure help fossil fuel-dependent economies, weakness agreements, strategies. community attempted address challenges through regulatory financial mechanisms Loss Damage funds Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework. agreements represent step toward equitably inclusively, technical support countries. However, available funding remains woefully insufficient scale needs, estimated amounting billions dollars.It seems us moment discussion stagnates it identify shared strategy. context, believe central issue. While gained notable attention COP28 Dubai, considerations remain marginal discourse, corporate agendas, awareness. A fundamental shift urgently needed. brought center conversation. Kate Raworth reminds us, cannot speak "safe operating space" without recognizing inalienable right (10).One main policy decision-making regarding consequences lies uncertainty about solutions effective cost-efficient. sense, calls grants Wellcome Trust ESRC UK, aim produce systematic reviews literature solutions, taking into account co-benefits costs, crucial. previous, partial attempt Calculator, incorporation cobenefits (11).While phenomenon, heavily influenced discriminatory factors, well sociocultural, infrastructural, territorial vulnerabilities. For reason, should: a) based heterogeneous, representative up-to date data; b) tailored needs rather standardized; c) combat factors inequalities; d) fight cognitive biases perpetuate unfair unequal treatments.Therefore, urgent develop practical, context-specific solutions. instance, Kennedy et al. developed method eco-social approaches strategies Cortes Island, remote area British Columbia, Canada. Their planning informed community-identified preferences, demonstrating importance integrated, solution-oriented practices real necessities characteristics territory.A complementary proposed Katapally Bhawra, emphasize use citizendriven big integrates accurate, timely, multisectoral leveraging digital platforms devices. Such systems predict prevent crises, enabling rapid responses real-time citizens.In adopt non-discriminatory respect integrate cultures ethnic minorities peoples. communities maintain deeply rooted nature, consolidated within socio-cultural intrinsically religious, identity, economic, survival reasons. estimations (12), last 10 years (between 2010 2020) forests -upon roughly one-third humanity, directly depends (13) -are disappearing rate 4.7 hectares per year. loss threatens water security erodes cultural identity stability communities. Similar confront Aboriginal Australia, where frequency natural disasters, bushfires, significant destruction. upon increasingly endangered degradation, crucial understand how livelihoods, well-being, health, order culturally sensitive strategies, suggested Upward al.From research perspective, essential deepen our understanding external internal homeostasis, financing researches study exposure chemical, biological stressors exposome resulting negative outcomes, Robert Barouki.However, makers ignore discussion. requires, highlights, fostering "nuanced, mutually respectful population consumption." Saraswati provide evidence relationships growth, integrity, prosperity, underscores intensifying grow, should considered when long-term prioritize ethical family planning, women's empowerment, education, child security.While improving accuracy, developing effectively inclusively ecological footprint sector, contributor challenge requires reimagining processes adoption innovative technologies approaches. Policymakers promote application selection criteria procedures consider alongside patient priorities. Sack demonstrated environmentally-extended input-output analysis (EEIO) serve valuable tool sector. findings suggest stenting pathway stable coronary disease preferable surgery standpoint, significantly reduces associated carbon footprint. Similarly, Usher transformative potential virtual education. Services telehealth education programs, saw satisfaction COVID-19 pandemic, means in-person care delivery. tools play pivotal role transition net carbon-zero Clear direction needed operators extent applied contexts, ensuring decisions left solely initiative or discretion.The multiple multidisciplinary poses demand paradigm vision, tools, highlighted Leonardi successfully societies sustainability, vital empower practitioners across disciplines advocate supporting transforming training decision-makers implemented, collaboration disciplines.In conclusion, sheds light theme that, despite widely discussed literature, struggles gain place negotiations. What required shift, transformation approach-not workers decisionmakers society whole. monumental imminent posed faced together, collective commitment, responsibility, decisive action.

Язык: Английский