NPR

Health is on the agenda at UN climate negotiations. Here's why that's a big deal

Advocates say human-driven climate change is hurting people's health worldwide–but taking action like reducing reliance on fossil fuels lowers risks immediately.
Major flooding has hit Kenya in November. The disasters are likely intensified by climate change, and are causing ongoing health issues across the region. World leaders are discussing the health impacts of climate change at the COP28 climate meeting in Dubai this month.

Heat wave after heat wave swept across the planet this year, their intensity and length pushed to never-before-seen extremes by human-caused climate change.

The heat isn't just uncomfortable: it kills. And it's the clearest signal that climate change is making the Earth a more unhealthy, dangerous place.

The health toll of climate change will come under the spotlight at this year's international climate negotiations in Dubai, known as COP28, where for the first time the meeting will feature prominent conversations about exactly how a warming planet hurts people. At the first-ever "Health Day" Sunday, and throughout the conference, world leaders, health ministers from dozens of countries, and a wide array of health organizations are expected to make the case that climate action will lead to

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