CLIMATE CHANGE ACTIONS: CRITICAL FACTORS TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS Authors

Abstract

Climate change has been deemed the biggest global health threat of the 21st century. Multiple factors contribute to this global phenomenon including anthropogenic causes. This review is to explore causes of climate change and recognise the impacts on population health as well as to look at strategies to mitigate climate change. This narrative review included articles searched through databases of SCOPUS, PubMed and PROQUEST from the year 2006 to 2018. Climate change is mainly due to man-made activities such as fossil fuels combustion, livestock farming and deforestation. The public health effects include increased vector-borne diseases, heat-related illnesses and respiratory illnesses. Strategies such as strengthening the adaptations to climate-related hazards, climate change integration into national policies, education, awareness-raising, impact reduction and early warnings have been put in place to tackle this crisis. The climate change agenda has been given an important platform as it is the 13th goal of the 17 United Nations Sustainable developmental goals (SDG). In conclusion, climate change has been going on for decades and is threatening the earth. Multi sectoral collaboration and working together towards a common goal is crucial as the wellbeing of our planet is our collective responsibility.