WHO warns China that climate change could undo decades of advances in health
Tens of millions of Chinese at risk from higher temperatures and flooding
The World Health Organisation has called on Beijing to review the impact of climate change following a new study that says rising temperatures could undo decades of progress in social and health development for tens of millions in China.
The climate changes projected include heavier rainfall, intense heatwaves, and water and food insecurity.
The agency made its appeal just days before world leaders are to meet in Paris for the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. “Recognising the problem is only the first step, it is also necessary to do evidence-based assessments of all of the health risks, and identify the most effective interventions to control them,” said Dr Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum, team leader of climate change and health with the organisation.
The agency’s report – “Climate and Health Country Profiles, China” – projects the annual average temperature will rise by about 6.1 degrees Celsius between 1990 and 2100 in a high-emissions scenario. If emissions fall rapidly, the temperature rise is limited to about 1.7 degrees.
Read more: Top meteorologist Zheng Guoguang warns of climate change risks to China
Under the first scenario, about 23 million people are expected to be affected by flooding due to sea level rises every year between 2070 and 2100 if Beijing does not make large investments to help communities adapt. But when emissions are cut back rapidly and protective measures are strengthened, such as through higher dykes, the number of affected people each year drops sharply to 2,400.