For first time, WHO calls for urgent action to check climate change

NEW DELHI: The World Health Organization ( WHO) has called for urgent action to avoid climate change by reducing emissions of black carbon, ozone and methane as well as carbon dioxide. This is the first time that the agency has recommended actions that countries must take to reduce emissions that account for more than seven million premature deaths annually.

The suggested measures include encouraging people to eat plant-based foods and reduce methane emissions associated with some animal sourced food. Besides, WHO's recommendations include reduction of vehicle emission, increased investment and policy measures along with providing alternative cooking fuel to low income households who are dependent primarily on wood, dung and other solid fuels for heating and cooking.

"For the first time, this report recommends actions that countries, health and environment ministries, and cities can take right now to reduce emissions, protect health and avoid illness and premature deaths, which often take the greatest toll on the most vulnerable," Dr Flavia Bustreo, assistant director-general of WHO, said.

The suggestions are part of a new report by the United Nations' health agency. The report called for fast track actions to reduce global warming and highlighted health risks associated with air pollution.

The report also talked about the relationship between improved diets, increase in physical activity, food security and air pollution. For instance, the agency encouraged governments to invest in dedicated rapid transit such as buses and trains and foster safe pedestrian and cycle networks. It could promote multiple benefits including safer active travel and reduced health risks from air and noise pollution, physical inactivity, and road traffic injuries, it said.


Similarly, a study looking specifically at India recently estimated that the combined effects of climate and air pollution reduced the country's wheat yield by as much as 36% in 2010, with the majority of the reduction attributable to the direct effects of short-lived climate pollutants like black carbon, ozone and methane.

Earlier this year, a WHO assessment showed that deaths due to air pollution increased fourfold across the globe over the past decade and China and India were by far the worst affected countries. About 4.3 million deaths each year, most in developing countries, were associated with exposure to household (indoor) air pollution. A further 3.7 million deaths a year were attributed to ambient (outdoor) air pollution.