In two days, world leaders have given speeches at the COP28 climate summit, but now the focus shifts to the impact of climate change on health. This is the first time public health has been included on the agenda for the annual U.N. talks.
With malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress all increasing and putting strain on health services, both countries and businesses are seeking ways to protect people as temperatures rise.
Several high-profile figures, including Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates, are expected to join the United Arab Emirates in launching a climate health initiative during the health-themed day. Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will also be at the conference, participating in an event on women and climate change. Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, will make an appearance as well.
Current U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris used her speech on Saturday to emphasize the country’s renewed leadership in the fight against the climate crisis.
It will be the first time that the annual U.N. talks feature public health on the agenda.
With malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress all on the rise – and threatening to stretch already-struggling health services – countries and businesses both are anxious for more ways to protect people as temperatures continue to climb for decades.
The health-themed day will draw a cast of headliners, including Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates, who is expected to join the United Arab Emirates in launching a climate health initiative.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will also visit the sprawling COP28 compound, where more than 70,000 people from across the world have gathered for the two-week conference.
COP28 will also see an appearance from former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, who shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with the U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for their work to increase public knowledge about global warming.
On Saturday, current U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris sought to promote Washington’s global climate leadership, saying her country had once again become “a global leader in the fight against the climate crisis”.
(Reporting by Elizabeth Piper; editing by Diane Craft)
