Climate Change: Over 200 Health Journals Urge WHO to Declare ‘Global Health Emergency’

Ecosystems face the risk of “breakdowns in the functioning of nature,” according to more than 200 health journals. In a joint editorial, the journals called on the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the “climate and nature crisis” a global health emergency. They argued that climate change is becoming the primary driver of nature loss, which will lead to shortages of land, shelter, food, and water, exacerbating poverty and causing migration and conflict. The editorial also highlighted the health threats posed by rising temperatures, extreme weather events, air pollution, and the spread of infectious diseases due to climate change. The authors urged the WHO to recognize the indivisible nature of the climate and nature crises and take immediate international action. The editorial comes in contrast to a recent declaration signed by over 1,800 scientists asserting that there is no climate emergency. They argue that Earth’s climate has always varied and that carbon dioxide is essential for life and beneficial for nature. These scientists dispute claims that climate change is harming the environment and point to evidence of increasing coral cover in the Great Barrier Reef and reduced ice melting in Greenland as examples. They also highlight data from NASA showing a greening of the planet over the past two decades.



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