SUMMIT SPOTLIGHT
An interview with UNITE Chapter Chair for India, Hon. Amar Patnaik on Climate Health
In this second interview ahead of the UNITE Global Summit 2024, Hon. Amar Patnaik discusses the health challenges posed by climate change. He highlights the disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations, the strain on healthcare systems, and the need for climate resilience, international cooperation, and local community involvement to address these growing issues.
What are the significant health consequences of climate change, and which populations are most at risk?
AP: Climate change has far-reaching effects on public health. Heat-related illnesses are made worse by rising temperatures. Respiratory conditions are becoming more common as a result of poor air quality, and vector-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria are spreading more widely as a result of warmer weather.
In addition to causing immediate injury, extreme weather disasters like hurricanes, droughts, and floods are disrupting healthcare systems and resulting in secondary health issues as well.
The most vulnerable populations are those that are already at risk because of socioeconomic variables. The poor are disproportionately affected because they frequently lack access to clean water, healthcare, and adequate shelter. Climate change exacerbates already existing inequities because marginalised people, especially those in poorer countries, face the brunt of its effects.
For instance, migration in India due to climate change is threatening access to basic services and food security. The elderly, rural people, and indigenous communities are particularly vulnerable to these compounding risks.
In conclusion, climate change is a humanitarian problem rather than just an environmental issue.
Any comprehensive strategy to combat climate change must address health disparities in order to build a resilient healthcare system that can protect the most vulnerable segments of society.
How can healthcare systems effectively adapt to the diverse challenges posed by climate change impacts on public health?
AP: In order to effectively handle the complex health effects of climate change, healthcare systems need to take a proactive, flexible, and adaptable stance. Including climate resilience in the infrastructure of healthcare is a crucial first step.
To guarantee that services are provided without interruption during emergencies, hospitals, clinics, and medical supply networks must be strengthened against severe weather occurrences. In rural locations, for example, solar-powered facilities could guarantee access to healthcare even in the event of power grid failure.
We must also restructure the way we handle public health data in order to adapt. When combined with healthcare data, climate modelling can be used to forecast illness
outbreaks and effectively deploy resources. To do this, we must strengthen our research capacities and put in place reliable climate-health surveillance systems.
A carbon accounting framework could assist in tracking the environmental e ects of healthcare services, enabling systems to strike a balance between ecological responsibility and health benefits, much as we have financial accounting systems in place.
The treatment of health problems unique to a given climate should also be taught to medical personnel. Because of the ever-changing settings, new diseases and ailments are appearing; so the health staff needs to be ready.
Finally, cooperation with non-health sectors like energy, urban planning, and agriculture is also essential to tackle the underlying causes of health concerns associated with climate change.
Can you share an example of successful initiatives or strategies that have addressed the health impacts of climate change?
brought on by climate change. The SAPCCHH initiative, short for ‘State Action Plan for Climate Change and Human Health’, is implemented to improve public health so that people can resist illnesses that are susceptible to climate change. It encourages the use of climate-resilient farming techniques, such as the management of rice fallow, which improves crop coverage, lowers soil degradation, increases soil nutrients through crop systems approach, and enhances nutrition security through the consumption of other crops and pulses. Additionally, through its information, education, and communication activities as well as its sensitization/knowledge-building workshops, SAPCCHH also seeks to build capacity and raise awareness on climate change and health. Lastly, measures are being put into action to deal with the effects of extreme weather, such as heatwaves and waterborne illnesses, among other things.
AP: One of the successful examples of addressing the health impacts of climate change in India is the ‘National Clean Air Programme’ (NCAP). The NCAP aims to improve air quality in 131 cities across 24 states and Union Territories, with the target of reducing PM10 levels by 3-15% annually, and ultimately achieving a 40% reduction. Improved air quality under the NCAP has direct and significant positive outcomes for public health, particularly in reducing the incidence of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Cleaner air helps alleviate the burden of asthma, bronchitis, and other chronic respiratory conditions, especially in urban areas with high pollution levels.
Odisha has also seen the emergence of numerous initiatives addressing health issues
frequency and intensity of heatwaves. These plans involve early warning systems, public awareness campaigns, and emergency measures to reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses and deaths, showcasing the crucial role of preparedness in mitigating climate-related health challenges.
Another noteworthy initiative is Mission LiFE, introduced at COP26 in 2021, which was mooted by India. It advocates for a sustainable and healthy way of living through mindful consumption, promoting environmental conservation and moderation. This initiative highlights the connection between sustainable
living and overall well-being, reinforcing the need for healthier lifestyles to combat climate-induced health risks.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched a National Health Action Plan on Climate Change and Mental Health. This progressive plan addresses the significant impact of climate change on mental health, particularly among vulnerable and marginalized populations, integrating mental health support into climate adaptation strategies.
India’s holistic approach to public health infrastructure reflects its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and resilience in the face of climate change.
In what ways do international collaborations and community engagement contribute to building resilience against climate-related health challenges?
types of public health diseases, genealogies, surveillance systems, joint efforts in research on targeted diseases susceptible to climate change and development of vaccines would produce more effective and make the public health initiatives more efficient.
AP: The COVID-19 pandemic taught the world that “No one is safe until everyone is safe.”
To build health resilience which can respond and prevent health issues caused by climate change requires international cooperation at the international level. The e ects of climate change on health is global and cuts across national boundaries.
Collaborative frameworks should be encouraged to enable and facilitate the exchange of information, resources, and technology among countries, which is especially advantageous for low-income nations that bear a disproportionate share of the burden.
For instance, international partnerships towards vaccine research and development have contributed in controlling the spread of vector-borne illnesses, which are becoming more severe as a result of increased temperatures.
In a similar vein, cross-border data-sharing on
the grassroots level and empowering local communities, allows giving communities the opportunity to take an active part in the planning of adaptation, which enhances the resilience of these collaborative initiatives in the long run.
Therefore, community action should be the first line of defence against health threats, whether it is local farmers using climate-smart agriculture to safeguard food security or urban neighbourhoods taking part in disaster preparedness programs.
When local communities and international organisations work together, a comprehensive, multi-level response is produced that can address the underlying causes of vulnerability and increase capacity for adaptation and recovery.
Why do you believe the UNITE Global Summit 2024 is a pivotal platform to address these critical climate health issues? What are your hopes for the outcomes of the summit?
AP: In order to address one of the biggest challenges of our time, UNITE Global Summit 2024 brings together world leaders, politicians, scientists, and civil society. This makes it an
essential venue for addressing the confluence of health and climate change.
It provides a chance to advance concrete pledges that harmonise health systems with efforts for coping with climate change. The summit presents a unique opportunity to incorporate health into the larger climate agenda, making sure that health implications are not merely an afterthought but a primary concern, given the growing climate polycrisis.
I’m hoping that the summit will spark the creation of a global climate and health resilience framework that gives priority to those who are most at risk and guarantees fair access to medical treatment in times of climate emergency.
Furthermore, I hope to see significant progress made in the creation of a global healthcare carbon accounting system, wherein nations pledge to measure and lower the carbon footprint of the services they provide. By encouraging more robust and sustainable infrastructures, this will not only improve public health outcomes but also link healthcare systems with climate goals.
The summit ought to serve as a springboard for international alliances, cross-sectoral cooperation, data-sharing, and locally driven solutions that together guarantee a more robust and healthy future. ■