Durban (South Africa), 6 Dec (EFE).-the World Health Organization (who) today described the effects of the climate of “alert public health”, and called for action against global warming, which causes a year 13 million deaths around the world.
“We want this part of the negotiations of Durban”, said the Director of public health and environment of the who, the Spanish Maria Neira, in a press conference in Durban (South Africa), host of the Summit of the United Nations on climate change (COP17).
“On 25 per cent of global morbidity and mortality could be avoided with environmental investments which introduced the element health.” “This 25 percent means 13 million deaths a year,” warned Dr., in statements to Efe.
Who has sent a delegation to Durban to put pressure on Governments in order that included health policy change issues climate.
“Global warming is not an issue that only affects the glaciers, but that very directly affects our health.” “The air pollution cause 3 million deaths, and climate change also affects access to drinking water, with the increase in diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera,” added Neira.
The Director of public health in the who warned of the increase in infectious diseases as malaria and dengue, due to the increase of temperature.
The Ministry of environment of South Africa, host country of the COP17, estimated that its territory bow surface affected by malaria in 2050 because of global warming, rising to 7.8 million people exposed to the parasite, of which 5.2 million live outside current areas of risk.
“If we fail to act now will be signing the certificate of death for humanity in 2020”, said Dr. Hugh Montgomery, of the Council of health and climate of the United Kingdom, who appeared alongside Maria Neira in the press conference.
For his part, Professor Andy Haines, of the school of Tropical Medicine in London, noted that “emissions of greenhouse gases have increased 49 percent since 1990”.
“Actions against climate change – added Haines – can significantly reduce sickness and death”. EFE
