Climate change may soon be considered a public health emergency worldwide, if doctors get their way

In a remarkable global initiative, over 200 health journals worldwide have joined forces to publish a groundbreaking editorial. Their collective message is clear: it's time to declare a state of health emergency due to the climate crisis and the loss of nature.

These health journals are urging world leaders and health professionals to recognise that the climate crisis and biodiversity loss are interconnected crises, both of which pose a severe threat to human health, even insisting that the World Health Organisation (WHO) officially declare a global health emergency.

As climate change exacerbates extreme weather, pollution and disease, humans — particularly those from marginalised communities — continue to face its weighty interlinked consequences. In addition to harming ocean life, deteriorating water quality continues to worsen water-borne disease spread and the seafood crisis. Further, rapid changes in land use and climbing temperatures are breeding the perfect conditions for more pathogens to make the deadly jump to humans, leading to worrisome new diseases and pandemics.

Many studies have shown that access to green spaces is crucial for healthier communities as they help filter air pollution, reduce temperatures, and provide opportunities for physical activity. Nature has a positive impact on mental health, while also reducing stress, loneliness and depression, but these benefits are under threat due to increasing urbanisation.

Despite official goals to conserve 30% of the world's land, coastal areas and oceans by 2030, many ecosystems are at the brink of their breaking points. Tipping over could lead to catastrophic harm to health, even if global warming is kept below a 1.5°C increase over pre-industrial levels.

Therefore, it is imperative that national climate plans be integrated with biodiversity goals. Health professionals, who command a ton of influence and trust in the public domain, have been urged to advocate for both restoring biodiversity and addressing climate change. Political leaders have also been called upon to recognisze the severe threats to health from this planetary crisis and the health benefits that can arise from taking action.

The editors of these prestigious journals have also backed a petition calling for WHO to declare a global public health emergency in May 2024. This united effort underscores the urgency of recognising and addressing the intertwined climate and nature crisis as a global health emergency.

The editorial can be accessed here.