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June 5, 2024 – South East Asia, including India, records the highest number of deaths due to climate change every year, according to Saima Wazed, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the region. This alarming revelation was made on World Environment Day, highlighting the severe impact of climate change on the region.
World Environment Day, celebrated annually on June 5, was established at the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment in 1972. Led by the United Nations Environment Programme, this day aims to raise awareness and prompt action on urgent environmental issues. This year’s theme focuses on land restoration, halting desertification, and building drought resilience.
“The worrying reality is that our region records the highest number of deaths from climate change annually amongst all WHO regions,” said Saima Wazed. “Climate change and biodiversity loss already pose major threats to health, the regional economy, and livelihoods across our region.”
The WHO Regional Director emphasized that environmental degradation resulting from air pollution, water contamination, and climate change contributes to a wide range of public health problems. She stressed the importance of recognizing the integral role of the health sector in environmental conservation and climate action. Strengthening collaboration between the health and environment sectors is crucial to address these shared challenges effectively.
Wazed cited the ‘SEA Regional Plan of Action for the WHO Global Strategy on Health, Environment and Climate Change 2020-2030: Healthy Environments for Healthier Population’ as a framework for the health sector to combat the effects of rising temperatures. She suggested several measures, including:
- Integrating health impact assessments into land use planning processes to evaluate the potential health impacts of proposed projects on air and water quality, food security, and exposure to hazards such as drought and desertification.
- Implementing green building practices and sustainable infrastructure in healthcare facilities to help reduce their environmental footprint.
- Promoting community-based health initiatives and building climate-resilient healthcare systems.
The need for these measures is underscored by the increasing frequency and severity of climate-related disasters in South East Asia, which disproportionately affect vulnerable populations and strain public health systems.
As the world marks another World Environment Day, the call to action is clear: urgent and coordinated efforts are needed to mitigate the impacts of climate change on health and well-being in South East Asia. Saima Wazed’s remarks serve as a stark reminder of the pressing need for comprehensive strategies to protect both the environment and public health in this vulnerable region.
