COP28: At the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, or the 28th edition of the Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and several charities pledged $777 million in financing to eradicate climate change-induced tropical diseases. This happened as delegates urged greater global efforts to protect people from climate change-induced health risks, media reports said. The diseases caused by nutritional deficiencies or environmental conditions encountered in areas lying between and alongside the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn belts are called tropical diseases.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released a report on November 30 that the year 2023 is set to be the warmest on record and witnessed extreme weather events which resulted in death and devastation. Heatwaves have increased the spread of vector-borne diseases like malaria and cholera. Since temperatures are expected to rise in the coming years, the probability of tropical diseases will also increase.
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COP28 President Sultan Al-Jaber said in a statement that climate-related factors have become one of the greatest threats to human health in the 21st century.
The UAE and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have pledged $100 million each. Belgium, Germany, and the US Agency for International Development have also announced funds for climate-related health issues.
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The World Bank's joint Long-term Strategies Program would help countries and sub-national entities develop plans around issues such as decarbonisation and climate resilience. It will support developing countries.
River blindness and sleeping sickness are diseases endemic to Africa, spread through parasitic worms and flies, and are easy to treat.
A COP28 declaration on keeping people safe amid global warming has been signed by over 120 countries. However, fossil fuels were not mentioned in the declaration.
Quoting Joseph Vipond, an emergency physician from Alberta, Canada, a Reuters report said "we are in a lot of trouble". He stated that a child died from an asthma attack this year made worse by smoke inhalation from Western Canada's record wildfires.
Climate change has also increased the frequency of extreme weather events.
Bill Gates said on December 3 that scientists were working on new treatments for and prevention techniques of malaria.
Former US Secretary of State said on December 3 that in order to keep people safe, the world's insurance systems must be reformed because despite insurance companies pulling out of so many places, they are not insuring homes or businesses.