World Conference on Health and Climate Change, Taking care of humankind at +2°C

The science behind climate change is well established, and climate impacts are being felt around the world. The direct or indirect effects of climate change on the health of populations, especially the most vulnerable, are multiple and complex. Climate change often acts as a threat multiplier, rather than a direct cause, of conflict and displacement.

Humanitarian actors have a role and a responsibility to help people and communities reduce their vulnerability when they face the risks of climate, especially when their health is threatened.

On the occasion of the Centenary of the foundation of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the Red Cross is organizing the first “humanitarian COP” on climate change and health in Cannes, France. The World Health Organization was asked to join efforts and participate in the discussions.

Following the major UN climate conference COP24 in Katowice, Poland, and the landmark UN IPCC special report on 1.5 degrees of global warming, the consequences and future impacts of a changing climate on the health of populations worldwide needs to be further examined. This humanitarian COP will examine current and future consequences of climate change on health, explore innovative approaches to face the emerging challenges it brings, and involve citizens and decision-makers at all levels to discuss their role in the prevention, preparedness, adaptation and response to climate impacts.

The world conference will be joined by high-level diplomats, such as Laurent Fabius, former President of Cop21, by health experts such as Dr. Nick Watts from The Lancet Countdown or Dr. Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum from WHO, as well as by a wide-ranging panel of scientist and humanitarian experts.

Scope of the event: 

• examine the current and future consequences of climate change on health;
• explore innovative approaches to come up with key recommendations on how to face these emerging challenges; and
• raise awareness amongst citizens and decision-makers in the public and private sector about the role of prevention, preparedness, adaptation and response to climate impacts.

VENUE:

Cannes, Provence-Alpes-Cote D’Azur, France
15-16 April 2019

Original source: WHO
Published on 01 April 2019