Cities and islands respond to climate change and health challenges

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🗞️ Driving the news: At the 10th Global Conference of the Alliance for Healthy Cities, WHO brought together city leaders and experts to discuss how urban areas and islands in the Western Pacific are addressing the health impacts of climate change, focusing on resilience in health systems

🔭 The context: The Western Pacific Region, home to 1.9 billion people, faces severe climate risks including rising sea levels and extreme weather
• WHO emphasizes integrating climate and health strategies into local governance, building on global frameworks like the Paris Agreement

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Vulnerable populations, particularly in small island states, are on the frontline of climate change, with rising sea levels threatening health infrastructure and community well-being

⏭️ What's next: WHO and experts call for stronger global collaboration, transitioning to renewable energy, enhancing coastal resilience, and potentially adopting a new Protocol on Climate, Health, and Sea Level Rise

💬 One quote: “By creating a global network of resilient cities and islands, we can unite to confront the greatest challenge of our time: the climate crisis.” — Dr. Wilfried Kreisel, WHO Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health

📈 One stat: 100% of Pacific islanders live in vulnerable coastal areas, making them highly susceptible to climate-related health risks

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