In a joint editorial, more than 200 health journals have called on governments to take emergency action to tackle the “catastrophic harm to health” caused by climate change.
The British Medical Journal (BMJ) and The Lancet are among the journals to warn that targets to reduce emissions and conserve biodiversity are “not enough”, and need “credible short and longer-term plans”.
They urge leaders to transform societies and economies by redesigning transport systems, cities, food systems, financial investment systems and health systems. This will need investment, they say, but benefits will include less air pollution, more physical activity, and better housing and diets.They also argue that wealthier countries must do more to support low and middle-income countries in building cleaner, healthier and more resilient societies.
BMJ editor-in-chief Fiona Godlee said: “Health professionals have been on the front line of the COVID-19 crisis, and are united in warning that going above 1.5°C and allowing the continued destruction of nature will bring the next, far deadlier crisis.”
