I addressed the 11th Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States, many of which are confronting the combined pressures of climate change, rising debt, and severely constrained fiscal space.
Climate shocks are no longer abstract future risks.
Malnutrition, water borne diseases, and displacement already impose heavy social and economic costs.
Each year, air pollution causes more than 7 million deaths and is estimated to cost the global economy over US$8 trillion.
Governments and donors need to substantially increase climate financing for health, using innovative approaches such as debt for climate resilience swaps.
For @WHO, climate finance must strengthen health systems, protect vulnerable communities, and build resilience to climate related health risks.
Through the WHO Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health, we are supporting countries to build health systems that are both climate resilient and climate friendly.
Because, above all, the climate crisis is a health crisis.
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@PressACP