European Scientists Call for Climate Action

The EASAC report focuses on the consequences of climate change for human health in Europe and the benefits of acting now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to stabilise the climate. Swiss TPH contributed to the report through Martin Röösli, Head of the Environmental Exposures and Health unit.

Negative impact on health

With current trends in greenhouse gas emissions, a global average temperature increase of over 3°C above pre-industrial levels is projected by the end of the century. The increase will be higher over land than the oceans, exposing the world population to unprecedented rates of climate change and contributing to the burden of disease and premature mortality. "The report highlights that climate change has an effect on health within Europe," said Röösli. "In fact, many mitigation measures bring ancillary co-benefits for health. For example, reducing fossil fuel combustion would avert many deaths from air pollution each year."

According to the report, health risks will increase as climate change intensifies through a range of pathways including:

•  Increased exposure to high temperatures and extreme events such as floods and droughts, air pollution and allergens;
• Weakening of food and nutrition security;
• Increased incidence and changing distribution of some infectious diseases (including mosquito-borne, food-borne and water-borne diseases);
• Growing risk of forced migration.

Call to action

EASAC emphasises that the top priority is to stabilise climate and accelerate efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions. The economic benefits of action to address the current and prospective health effects of climate change are likely to be substantial. Urgent actions recommended by the report include the following:

• Several hundred thousand premature deaths annually in the EU could be averted by a 'zero-carbon' economy through reduced air pollution;
• Promotion of healthier, more sustainable diets with increased consumption of fruit, vegetables and legumes and reduced red meat intake will lower the burden of non-communicable diseases and reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
• Climate action could avert a significant increase in the spread of infectious diseases;
• Providing evidence of the health benefits of action on climate change may be instrumental in achieving rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Symposium on climate change

On 5-6 December 2019, Swiss TPH will organise an international symposium on "Climate Change and Health - Risks, Adaptations, Resilience and Co-Benefits" in Basel, Switzerland. Renowned speakers will discuss adaptation strategies to prevent major negative health consequences and mitigation measures to achieve health co-benefits.

About the European Academies' Science Advisory Council (EASAC)

EASAC is formed by the national science academies of the EU Member States, Norway, and Switzerland, to collaborate in giving advice to European policy-makers. EASAC provides a means for the collective voice of European science to be heard. Through EASAC, the academies work together to provide independent, expert, evidence-based advice about the scientific aspects of European policies to those who make or influence policy within the European institutions.