The impact of climate change is so great that it could undermine the last 50 years of gains in global health, according to the Lancet Commission report.
Weather extremes made worse by climate change are potentially destructive and unacceptable, says Commission's project leader Nicolas Watts.
"In terms of drought, we often see corresponding decreases in agricultural productivity, which then in turn has a profound impact on malnutrition, particularly for children."
Increasingly, it's just hotter, which can be deadly. An extreme heat wave in 2003 left 70,000 people dead across Europe. And those sorts of events are expected to increase in intensity and severity as time goes on.
The World Health Organization warns that unless dramatic action is taken to reduce global warming emissions by 2030, approximately 250,000 people will die each year from the effects of climate change.
Outdoor air pollution is linked to some three million deaths worldwide. Watts says a shift from coal-fired power plants to renewable energy can greatly reduce that danger. "We see immediate declines in hospital admissions and in health care costs, which reduces the burden of already struggling health budgets. But there are also benefits to be found outside of the energy sector, you can decrease the reliance on cars and motor vehicles, and try to encourage active transport like cycling and walking, you reduce the carbon emission from that sector, but you also decrease the rates of diabetes and obesity." he said.
Among its recommendations, the Commission supports a phase-out of coal power plants, expansion of renewable energy, investment in health systems and a commitment to a strong global climate treaty. Watts says public health is at the core of a new global agreement.
"Most of what you want to do to respond to climate change is good for public health, and it is actually a much brighter future." Watts says health care professionals can be advocates in the battle against climate change, he says what is good for the planet is good for patient care.
Question 23. What's the impact of drought according to Watts?
Question 24. What can reduce the deaths linked to air pollution according to Watts?
Question 25. What is at the core of a new global agreement?
根据《柳叶刀》杂志委员会,气候变化非常严重,可能破坏过去50年我们在全球健康问题上取得的成就
委员会的项目领导尼古拉斯·瓦特说,气候变化导致的极端天气可能是毁灭性的和无法承受的
“干旱会导致农业生产力降低,而农业生产力下降反过来又会对营养不良问题产生重大影响,尤其是儿童营养不良
天气渐渐越来越热,这可能会致命
世界卫生组织警告,若不在2030年以前快速采取行动减少全球温室气体的排放,每年将会有约25万人死于气候变化的影响
全球有 300 万人的死亡与户外空气污染有关
在这些建议中,委员会支持逐渐淘汰煤矿发电厂、扩大使用可再生能源、投资健康系统并遵守全球气候条约
“为了回应气候变化,你想做的多数事都对公共健康有益,这其实意味着一个更加美好的未来
问题23 根据瓦特,干旱有什么影响?
问题24 根据瓦特,什么可以减少与空气污染有关的死亡?
问题25 新的全球协议的核心是什么?
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