200 health journals call separation of climate, biodiversity crises ’dangerous mistake’

November 01, 2023

4 min read

Key takeaways:

• Overall planetary health must be considered to avoid catastrophe.
• Biodiversity losses have been linked with increases in noncommunicable, autoimmune and allergic diseases.
• WHO must act, according to the authors.

More than 200 health journals simultaneously published an editorial calling on the United Nations, political leaders and health professionals to recognize how climate change and biodiversity are a single global health emergency.

Noting that the world is responding to these crises separately, Kamran Abbasi, MB ChB, FRCP, editor in chief of The BMJ and the other editorial authors — which included 10 other editors in chief of health journals — called that approach a “dangerous mistake” and said these issues instead should be addressed together to “preserve health and avoid catastrophe.”

Impact on human health

Damage to one system leads to damage in others, the authors wrote in the joint editorial. For example, drought, wildfires, floods and other effects of climate change destroy plant life, create soil erosion, and impact the Earth’s capacity for carbon storage.

These changes impact human beings as well, the authors wrote, as shortages of land, shelter, food and water exacerbate poverty and create mass migration and conflict. Impacts will include increases in waterborne diseases as pollution damages water quality.

Polluted water on land also can find its way into the ocean and harm biodiversity there, limiting nutritional quantity and quality for populations that depend on seafood for their dietary protein.

“Climate change, biodiversity loss and air pollution are all due to the same human activities — usage of fossil fuels, unsustainable and animal-intensive agriculture practices, and rapid and large-scale urbanization,” Pattnaik said.

“The adverse health impacts from the destruction of nature are similar to those caused by climate crisis which include lack of access to water and a variety of food, loss of lives and livelihoods, the spread of infectious diseases, increases in noncommunicable diseases and mental health problems, and reduced capacity to develop new medicines derived from nature,” she continued.

Thousands of species have come into closer contact with each other as land uses have changed as well, the editorial authors wrote, increasing exchanges of pathogens and leading to new diseases and pandemics.

With greater urbanization, the authors continued, many people have lost contact with the natural environment. This loss in biodiversity has been linked with increases in noncommunicable, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, as well as to metabolic, allergic and neuropsychiatric disorders.

“Allergic diseases are on the rise due to complex interactions between climate change, which is causing changes in weather patterns and biodiversity loss; urbanization, which is further destroying nature; and nature loss, which reduces the resilience of the environment,” Pattnaik said.

The loss of native wildlife species makes it easier for invasive new species that can act as allergens to be introduced into the environment, she said. At the same time, the destruction of environments that are rich in natural biodiversity leads to decreased immunity among human beings.

“The problem is amplified by the poor air quality,” Pattnaik said. “Hence, allergic diseases are on the rise due to the climate and nature crises.”

In addition to potential medicinal materials, Abbasi and colleagues wrote, green spaces filter air pollution, reduce air and ground temperatures, and provide opportunities for physical activity. Human beings experience less stress, loneliness and depression and more social interaction when connecting with nature too, the authors added.

These changes will have greater impacts on underserved populations, with the most vulnerable communities bearing the greatest burdens. In fact, these inequalities may be fueling these environmental crises, so addressing them will lead to co-benefits, the authors wrote.

Call to action

Previous COPs have committed to solving these issues, such as a 2022 agreement targeting 30% conservation and management of the world’s land by 2030.

Yet these commitments have not been met, Abbasi and colleagues wrote.

“This has allowed ecosystems to be pushed further to the brink, greatly increasing the risk of arriving at ‘tipping points’ — abrupt breakdowns in the functioning of nature,” they added. “If these events were to occur, the impacts on health would be globally catastrophic.”

The authors called on WHO to declare this climate and nature crisis a global health emergency.

Preconditions for such declarations include a serious, sudden, unusual or unexpected emergency; implications for public health beyond the borders of the affected state; and the need for immediate international action. This crisis, according to the authors, meets these criteria.

WHO should make this declaration before or at the 77th World Health Assembly next May, the authors wrote. Also, they continued, COPs need harmonization in addition to better integration between national climate plans and biodiversity equivalents.

“Health professionals must be powerful advocates for both restoring biodiversity and tackling climate change for the good of health,” the authors concluded. “Political leaders must recognize both the severe threats to health from the planetary crisis and the benefits that can flow to health from tackling the crisis. But, first, we must recognize this crisis for what it is: a global health emergency.”

“Health professionals are hugely trusted voices in society and need to demonstrate leadership by spreading awareness amongst the public about the health impacts of the dual crises,” Pattnaik said.

Patient discussions about improving physical and mental health should start a dialogue around climate change impacts such as heat waves and flooding as well as about access to green and blue spaces, she continued.

“Health professionals must also unite to influence governments for inclusive action on climate and nature crises,” Pattnaik said.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The article discusses the impact of climate change and biodiversity loss on human health, including increases in noncommunicable diseases, mental health problems, and the spread of infectious diseases. SDG 3 aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

SDG 13: Climate Action

The article emphasizes the need to address climate change and biodiversity loss together as a single global health emergency. SDG 13 focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

SDG 15: Life on Land

The article highlights the link between biodiversity loss and the increase in noncommunicable, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases. SDG 15 aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and biodiversity loss.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination

The article mentions that climate change and biodiversity loss lead to increases in noncommunicable diseases, mental health problems, and the spread of infectious diseases. Achieving this target would involve addressing the environmental factors contributing to these health issues.

Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries

The article calls for recognizing climate change and biodiversity as a single global health emergency and addressing them together. Strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters is crucial in mitigating their impact on human health.

Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species

The article highlights the link between biodiversity loss and the increase in noncommunicable, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases. Taking urgent action to halt biodiversity loss is essential to protect human health.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

No specific indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: healio.com

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