The World Health Organization has declared the climate crisis a global health emergency, warning of rising deaths, disease, and strain on health systems as the planet warms. The call came during the opening of the WHO Global Conference on Climate and Health in Brasília, just months before COP30 in Belém, Brazil.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged governments to act urgently, describing the climate emergency as a direct threat to human health. He stressed the need for stronger, climate-resilient health systems and rapid cuts in carbon emissions from the health sector.
The conference also marked the launch of a new WHO report highlighting the health risks faced by people displaced by climate-related disasters. Officials warned that vulnerable communities, particularly in poorer nations, bear the brunt of the crisis despite contributing least to global emissions.
Brazil, which will host COP30 in November, is working with WHO and other partners to unveil a national health and climate action plan at the summit. Through the WHO-led Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health, over 90 countries are aligning efforts to place health at the center of climate policy.
As heatwaves, air pollution, and floods intensify, WHO’s message is clear: tackling climate change is no longer optional; it is essential for protecting lives.
Read the full WHO release: Click here
