(April 22nd, 2016, New York, USA) – Global public health experts Vital Strategies welcome today’s ceremony at the UN, at which countries will officially sign The Paris Agreement, under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. José Luis Castro, President and Chief Executive Officer, Vital Strategies commented:
“It is no coincidence that recent months have seen international consensus around the need for agreements like The Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. A wealth of evidence shows us that human health, a healthy environment and economic success all are interdependent, and that global progress requires the commitment of every country. While there may be debate around how we can best limit global warming in the years to come, what is indisputable is that the steps that we can take now would have a beneficial impact on heath – including on slowing the increasing burden of pollution-related non-communicable diseases.
“A resolution at last year’s World Health Assembly recognized air pollution as a global public health priority, because it is linked to as many as seven (7) million premature deaths around the globe, every year. The need to combat climate change and air, water and soil pollution is enshrined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In other words, the world’s governments are doubly committed to act on climate and pollution. When governments engage in action to reduce pollution and to achieve climate change targets, they will also make progress on their targets for global health and development. A clear “win-win.”
“The path to improving planetary health will not be easy. To deliver the health dividend, we need more consistent monitoring of pollution and of the harms of pollution. We will need to maintain vigilance of existing and new sources of pollution and to monitor the actions of strong industry lobbies, who will try to delay and derail policies that threaten their vested interests. But with 2030 just fourteen years away, the global community does not have time for this dance. Acting on climate change is acting to improve global health and global wealth. We urge each government to sign The Paris Agreement and to act quickly to translate that commitment into concrete national laws that are implemented and enforced effectively to deliver results. The health of their people depends upon it.”
About Vital Strategies
Vital Strategies envisions a world where every person is protected by a strong public health system. Our team combines evidence-based strategies with innovation to help develop sound public health policies, manage programs efficiently, strengthen data systems, conduct research, and design strategic communication campaigns for policy and behavior change. Vital Strategies was formed when The Union North America and World Lung Foundation joined forces. It is an affiliate of The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union).
To find out more, please visit vitalstrategies.org or Twitter @VitalStrat
For further information or to arrange an interview with a Vital Strategies public health expert, please contact Tracey Johnston, Vital Strategies, at +44.7889.081.170 or tjohnston@vitalstrategies.org