At the UN climate conference in Glasgow, COP26, Norway joined today the health program of the climate conference. The health program has launched a number of measures to strengthen health systems so that they can cope with climate change. The health program also encourages countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the health sector.
We need a solid knowledge base
– The climate crisis is the greatest challenge of our times. Today's commitments make an important contribution both to protecting the health of the Norwegian population and to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement, says Minister of Health and Care Ingvild Kjerkol.
To cope with climate change we certainly need a solid knowledge base. The Ministry of Health and Healthcare will initiate a national sensitivity and adaptation needs analysis related to climate change and health. The goal is to complete the works by the end of 2022. An extended health greenhouse gas emissions assessment will also be carried out. The aim is to map out an action map, initially by 2023. Such a map will point the way for a sustainable and low-carbon health sector by 2050.
Climate change is the greatest threat to health
The government aims to reduce Norwegian greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 percent compared to 55 by 1990. It is estimated that the health sector in 2018 was responsible for up to five percent of greenhouse gas emissions.
More rainfall, heat waves and droughts will affect our health
The World Health Organization says climate change is the greatest health threat we face. The population of Norway is generally in good health, and when it comes to health, we are relatively well prepared for the effects of climate change. However, increased rainfall, heatwaves and droughts will impact our health. Climate change may affect the physical and mental health of the population in several ways; from respiratory and circulatory diseases, allergies, injuries and deaths related to extreme weather events, to changes in the distribution and geographic distribution of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance.
For several years now, Norwegian business and public administration, including hospitals, have been working on raising awareness of their own emissions and reducing their carbon footprint. The commitments today are based on good work that has already been done.
Source: regjeringen
Przeczytaj nasz kolejny artykuł:Tydzień “Samogotowości” w Norwegii. DSB namawia między innymi do…
