Climate change, biggest threat to human existence – Salako

Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako, delivering a goodwill message at the annual lecture and induction ceremony of the Nigerian Academy of Medicine, held in Abuja,on Thursday.

Damilola Ajibola

The Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako, has described the climate change, as the most important crisis being faced by humanity.

He stated this on Friday in his goodwill message at the annual lecture and induction ceremony of the Nigerian Academy of Medicine, held in Abuja.

The Minister noted that the climate is changing, with significant consequences on human’s health, wellbeing and safety.

Salako said the World Health Organization (WHO), equally attested to the fact that climate change is the biggest threat to health in the 21st century.

He called on medical practitioners across various disciplines to play their parts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions that are the cause of climate change, through investments in “greening” healthcare facilities.

He said, “As you all know, our health is closely linked to the environment. We live in the environment and die in the environment. Environment is life, it is livelihood, it is everything.

” However, our climate is changing, with significant consequences for our health, wellbeing and safety. Climate change has become the most important crisis being faced by humanity today. 

“Its impacts are evident around us and most of the recent changes in our climate have been brought about by human activity.

” Without intervention, climate change will have far-reaching and catastrophic consequences for our dear nation and the rest of the world. It is an urgent problem with implications at the global, national, community and personal level.

“According to the World Health Organization, climate change is the biggest threat to health in the 21st century – it affects health and wellbeing: Directly, by the increased intensity and frequency of extreme weather events (such as heatwaves, floods and bushfires); and indirectly, through worsening air quality, changes in the spread of infectious diseases, threats to food and water and effects on mental health.

“Our changing climate has resulted in multiple impacts. These include heat waves resulting in heat stress, exhaustion and stroke, along with occupational heat challenges, with significant impacts particularly for those with chronic illnesses. Increased precipitation with catastrophic rain events, flooding and hurricanes are occurring more frequently along with subsequent death, injuries, and disability. 

“Health consequences linked with climate change also include air quality issues that impact respiratory and cardiac health, aeroallergens due to lengthy pollen seasons with high ambient temperatures, diseases carried by vectors that include Lyme disease, malaria, zika, and others. Food and waterborne illnesses are increasing due to climate change, as well as diarrheal disease and food insecurity.

” Floods from rising sea levels are a challenge for coastal dwellers, and heat stress and heat stroke from extreme temperatures are increasingly common. Wildfires from high ambient heat are challenging in several parts of the world are another exemplar of health consequences in our climate-changing world. 

“Climate change is not only a problem for future generations – it’s already happening. Higher mean temperatures are recorded each year, and more people are being affected by disasters, climate-sensitive diseases and other health conditions. In addition, Climate change exacerbates some existing health threats and creates new public health challenges. It is estimated that in the next decade, an additional 250,000 deaths per year will occur as a result of climate change.

“In light of the current and anticipated future morbidity and mortality associated with climate change, the health sector and health practitioners across disciplines have critical roles to play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions that are the cause of climate change, through investments in “greening” health care facilities – such as the use of solar panels, energy efficient equipment and waste management. 

“Globally, only about 0.5% of multilateral climate finance has been attributed to health projects. Health practitioners can also play a role in expanding the understanding of the impact of climate change and associated deleterious health consequences as well as the integration of climate change in healthcare training and within an interprofessional framework. 

“All hands need to be on deck to urgently transform our current healthcare systems into a climate-resilient and climate-smart healthcare system, so as to effectively align health development and delivery with global climate goals. 

” Finally, let me assure you that with the courageous decisions already taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, his vision, his drive and commitment, Nigeria is on its way to recovery with the health sector being a major beneficiary. Now we are faced with JAPA, I am confident we will soon be witnessing JAPADA.”