There will be 250,000 additional deaths caused by climate change. Seven million due to air pollution. These are staggering figures released by the World Health Organisation (WHO), at the second global conference on health and climate, held in Paris on 7 and 8 July. The conference brought together health ministers from governments around the world and represented a bridge between COP 21 and COP 22 in November.

Not only more frequent extreme events, but full-blown pandemics capable of putting hundreds of thousands of human lives at risk. The most exposed sections of the population are the most vulnerable: children, the elderly, those with chronic illnesses, the poor. Malaria, diarrhoea, malnutrition and heat stress are the main causes.

"The burden of diseases and deaths caused by climate change and air pollution is not only tragic, but also preventable," commented Flavia Bustreo, Deputy Director-General for Family, Women's and Children's Health at the WHO.

Health costs of up to $4 billion

It is not only climate refugees or conflicts over increasingly scarce resources. It will be citizens' health that is put to the test. According to the WHO, the direct health costs caused by climate change will be between $2 billion and $4 billion by 2030. This is against a meagre 1.5 per cent of international climate change funding that is directed towards health. "Countries need to promote policies that reduce the effects of climate change in key economic sectors such as transport and energy, by encouraging more sustainable transport systems such as cycling and walking, promoting physical activity and easier access to city services," the Organisation confirmed in a statement.

Coal and oil cause 23,000 deaths a year

While the still widespread use of fossil fuels does nothing but increase climate-altering atmospheric emissions, it is also complicit in tens of thousands of premature deaths in Europe alone (Source: IEA). A double bind that must be broken as soon as possible. "Coal and oil will never be clean," the WWF stresses. "Even if the other 'deadly' pollutants were to be significantly reduced, fossil fuels would continue to emit CO2."

Investment in health plans is needed

"The agreement reached by the world's governments not only aims to curb greenhouse gas emissions to keep global warming below 2°C, but enables countries to implement adaptation plans to protect health from the impacts of climate change, such as heatwaves, floods and droughts and the progressive deterioration of water and food security," concluded Flavia Bustreo. "We will closely monitor progress, to track and communicate health outcomes and share those actions that translate into lives saved. In particular the lives of children, women, the elderly and the poorest and most vulnerable members of society, who suffer the most."