Abstract
As well known, climate change changes weather patterns, producing far-reaching effects on the environment, the economy and society as a whole, endangering global livelihoods, health, food and energy security, and water resources.
Climate change, although globally threating to the human population and biocenosis, yet has some positive sides if the unity achieved through the Green Deal (GD) can be named so.
It is difficult to prioritize among many present-day challenges and many health threats. This document strongly confirms the path to be navigated. What is the role of health professionals and what is the possible contribution of public health?
This European Commission document envisages Europe as the first climate-neutral continent while strengthening its economy, taking care of and improving its inhabitants' health. The GD insists on the care for nature and a clear view that no one should be left out and left behind.
This workshop points out that, even we have large regulatory framework on clean air, air pollution in the European Union continues to be the top environmental threat to health, leading to approx. 400,000 early deaths annually and high health costs. Over 20 of the 27 EU countries fail to keep air quality standards, which for key pollutants are already less strict than what the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends.
There were several possible scenarios, out of which two were considered: one based on collaboration and the other, on conflict. Several dimensions were examined to address both cooperation instruments and the consequences of non-cooperation: Energy production (e.g., conventional versus renewable) and use; water resources and food security; the environment (air quality) and the impact on health; Population and migration flow.
The Energy issues in the world demand new innovative ways of providing us with energy. Innovations sometimes go faster than the health sector can study the disadvantages for health. The burden of disease might change due to new forms of energy.
It is important to note that health sector has an opportunity to not only prevent further damage from the air pollution and climate crises, but also to improve health outcomes by decarbonizing, building climate resilience, and amplifying the message around the interdependency between climate change and human health. This workshop will present a framework, co-developed by WHO and Health Care Without Harm, for climate-resilient, sustainable health facilities.
Key messages
The public health sector should consider the GD as an argument for achieving goals at national levels, and align national public health policies with the goals of this document. Achieving goals requires the education process for healthcare professionals covering all of topics of climate change, energy and air pollution to a much greater extent than before.
Air Quality in Africa: Public Health Implications
