The impact of climate change on human health is accelerating at an alarming pace. Urgent action is needed if we are to mitigate this impact.
From extreme heat in Western Canada to wildfire-related evacuations and increased respiratory distress across the country, the climate crisis is no longer a vague future threat; it is here now, and its impacts are inequitably distributed.
While the Canadian Medical Association has supported Canada’s previously stated commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we believe more needs to be done. We are therefore committing to be a full participant in the development and implementation of a comprehensive and robust plan to prevent further climate change and address the health consequences that are already affecting Canadians.
This plan must include:
- A response to the current and future challenges posed to health and health systems by climate change
- Further commitments to decrease greenhouse gas emissions to prevent additional impacts
- A detailed pathway to a net-zero economy
- Measures to prioritize and protect structurally marginalized and vulnerable populations in rural and remote communities
Tackling the climate crisis is perhaps our biggest opportunity to improve the health outcomes of Canadians today and in the future. We must put health considerations at the heart of our climate change responses.
How will climate change affect us?
How will climate change affect us?Human health is vulnerable to climate change. The changing environment is expected to cause more heat stress, an increase in waterborne diseases, poor air quality, and diseases transmitted by insects and rodents. Extreme weather events can compound many of these health threats.
What are 3 effects of climate change?
More frequent and intense drought, storms, heat waves, rising sea levels, melting glaciers and warming oceans can directly harm animals, destroy the places they live, and wreak havoc on people’s livelihoods and communities.
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