Cancun Statement: Climate Change and Health, The Time to Act is Now

Cancun — There is a growing body of evidence that human-induced climate change is already causing serious human health problems across the globe.

These health impacts will only escalate as the world’s climate becomes increasingly destabilized. The Lancet has called climate change, “the biggest global health threat of the 21st century”.

There is also powerful evidence showing that taking action to mitigate climate change can in itself provide major benefits for health and the economy. In this regard, mitigation and adaptation policies are urgently needed.

HCWH and partners call on delegates at the international climate change talks in Cancun (COP/MOP16) to take into account the significant human health dimensions of the climate crisis along with the health benefits of climate change.

Read the Statement:

• Read the Statement in English
• Read the Statement in Spanish
• Read the Statement in French

Organisations that signed:

• Health Care Without Harm (HCWH), Gary Cohen, Founder and Co-Executive Director
• Climate and Health Council, Dr. Robin Stott, Co-Chair
• Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), Genon Jensen, Executive Director
• International Council of Nurses (ICN), David Benton, Chief Executive Officer
• International Doctors for the Environment (ISDE), Dr. Hanns Moshammer, President
• International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA), Nicholas Watts, Projects Director
• Physicians for Social Responsibility, Dr. Peter Wilk, Executive Director
• Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME), Dr. Radziwell, President
• World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA), Dr. Ulrich Laaser, President
• World Medical Association (WMA), Dr. Wonchat Subhachaturas, President

Health Care Without Harm is an international coalition of more than 500 organizations in 53 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. Visit the HCWH website for more information.