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An end of year resolution: phase out fossil fuels
BMJ 2023; 383 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.p2884 (Published 07 December 2023)https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.p2884
Cite this as: BMJ 2023;383:p2884
Re: An end of year resolution: phase out fossil fuels
Dear Editor
Phase Out of Fossil Fules
The annual United Nations climate change conference COP28 at UAE Dubai for the first time, has dedicated one full day for discussing the health impacts of climate change.
In a letter, the International medical community has requested the COP28 for a complete phase-out of fossil fuels for a healthy universe .
Climate change impacts community health in several ways, and the continued rise in global temperatures can adversely affect human health.
Without a commitment to end fossil fuel dependency, health effects of climate change will not be achieved. To put brakes on climate change, it is necessary to remove fossil fuels from the engines of global economic development.
Producing and burning fossil fuels creates air pollution that harms our health and generates toxic emissions that drive climate change.
From the electricity that lights our homes to the cars we drive to work, modern life was built on fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas. But burning them creates climate change and releases pollutants that lead to early death, heart attacks, respiratory disorders, stroke, asthma, and absenteeism at school and work. It has also been linked to autism spectrum disorder and Alzheimer’s disease.
Air pollution from burning fossil fuels is responsible for about 1 in 5 deaths worldwide.
Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum, WHO’s head of climate and health has said that the
"Climate change doesn’t need to be on a death certificate for us to be confident that climate change is causing deaths.”
COP28 President criticised for saying there is ‘no science’ behind demands for phase-out of fossil fuels.
He also said that a phase-out of fossil fuels would not allow sustainable development unless you want to take the world back into caves.
His comments have drawn criticism from scientists, campaigners and even the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called the comments “incredibly concerning” and “verging on climate denial”.
A COP28 declaration backed by some 120 countries stressed the link between health and climate change. It made no mention of phasing out planet-warming fossil fuels, but pledged to support efforts to curb health care sector pollution, which accounts for 5% of global emissions, according to the WHO head.
On day 6 of the COP28, a draft agreement lays out options Concerning the Potential “Phase Out” of Fossil Fuels.
At COP28 in the second week, children across the world has also demanding the government policymakers to rescue the planet .
Competing interests: No competing interests
08 December 2023
M.A. Aleem
Professor of Neurology * Consultant Neurologist **
Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Medical College Siruvathur Perambalur *
ABC Hospital Trichy **
Siruvathur Perambalur 621212 * Annamalai nagar Trichy 620018**
Tamilnadu India
@drmaaleem
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