Only 23 countries use climate data for health surveillance, says head of WMO, adding more collaboration needed
Experts sounded the alarm Thursday on the dire health impacts of climate change at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
"If we continue on the current trajectory, we will end up with 14.5 million deaths by 2050 because of climate change," warned Shyam Biswayn, head of the World Economic Forum's Center for Health and Healthcare, citing a recent report.
His remarks came at a high-level panel discussion titled When Climate Redefines Health.
South African Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen emphasized the threat to food security.
"When the food systems become under threat, it starts to pose a significant health risk as well to human beings across the globe," he said.
Only 23 countries currently use climate information for health surveillance, said Celeste Saulo, secretary general of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), calling for greater collaboration between meteorological and health agencies.
John Arnay, CEO of the Wellcome Trust, called for "climate and health evidence to really inform our climate actions" through improved data and research.
Stephane Bancel, CEO of Moderna, highlighted the need to address the health impacts of extreme heat, air pollution and the spread of tropical diseases due to climate change.
The panelists emphasized that tackling the health crisis posed by climate change will require a coordinated multi-stakeholder approach involving governments, the private sector and civil society.
