Carcedo, who has opened the day "Acceleration: driving climate action to protect health", framed within # COP25, has emphasized that "scientific evidence has already shown that air pollution is responsible for a significant burden of deaths , hospitalizations, the cause and worsening of the symptoms of numerous diseases. "
In addition, he pointed out that, in the specific case of children, "they are at greater risk of developing diseases such as asthma or cardiovascular pathologies and affects neurological development and cognitive ability." And, in pregnant women "air pollution can lead to premature birth and newborns to be smaller and of low weight."
Along these lines, the minister recalled WHO data that shows that "air pollution causes 7 million premature deaths each year, of which 600,000 correspond to children." In addition, "the fact of living near high traffic routes is responsible for 15% of childhood asthma and a similar percentage of chronic diseases in people over 65 years."
María Luisa Carcedo has indicated that together with air pollution "there are other climatic threats that affect health such as the increase in average temperatures and days of extreme heat, phenomena such as fires, floods and droughts, the risks to marine food security or the increase in mosquito-borne diseases, some of which were already considered eradicated. "
#TimeDeActuar
The minister stressed that at this point "it is time to act now and it is time to talk about the Health New Deal." Moreover, he insisted that "the conclusions of the 2019 Lancet Countdown Report tell us that we are being slow to respond to the enormous impact that climate change has on health." And he added that "the response must be multilateral and multisectoral, energetic and urgent, from international organizations, governments, civil society, research, business and also citizens."
Along these lines, he pointed out that we must all go hand in hand: "Scientists need the collaboration of the media and civil society to claim the prominence that health needs when we talk and act on climate change." Regarding companies, the minister has drawn attention to a fact, "they are being slow to link health and climate change." "According to The Lancet Countdown, he explained, of the 12,000 companies, from more than 160 countries, who have signed the UN Global Compact to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda, only 12% related health and climate change in their reports of progress. "
Carcedo has assured that the Ministry of Health, Consumption and Social Welfare has long been committed to this work and "with an approach that advocates including health in all policies." Along these lines, he recalled that, in the coming months, a National Health and Environment Plan prepared with other ministries, regional governments and the best experts will be presented.
María Luisa Carcedo has concluded her intervention with a clear message, "We cannot afford any delay or setback in progress because our sons, our daughters, will not forgive us. Only by placing health at the center of all policies and actions will we achieve effective commitments that allow us to save lives, reduce pollutant emissions, breathe clean air and ultimately promote fair and sustainable development. "