· 2 min read
illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on the Financial Times or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: Health leaders are calling for a significant shift in climate discussions, emphasizing the need to integrate health considerations into climate action
• The upcoming COP28 in the United Arab Emirates is seen as a critical opportunity to address the health impacts of fossil fuel dependence and air pollution
🔭 The context: Historically, health has not been a central focus in climate talks, despite clear links between climate change, air pollution, and public health
• A report highlights that over 99% of the global population breathes air exceeding WHO guidelines, leading to 7 million premature deaths annually
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The health crisis caused by air pollution is directly tied to fossil fuel use, which is also the root cause of the climate crisis
• Addressing this at COP28 could lead to sustainable economies and a healthier global population
⏭️ What's next: COP28 leaders are urged to make clean air and the reduction of fossil fuels a core part of climate strategies
• The USA's Inflation Reduction Act and initiatives like the Breathe Cities are examples of how investments in clean energy can transform public health and climate change mitigation
💬 One quote: "Ignoring the threat [fossil fuels] pose to our health — especially in poor countries — is like spending all our time and money designing strategies to fight second-hand smoke without focusing on stopping people from smoking in the first place." (Gina McCarthy, first national climate adviser to the White House)
📈 One stat: International development funding and public climate finance have historically underinvested in combating air pollution, with only 1% and 2% of funds allocated, respectively
Click for more news covering the latest on environmental sustainability
