As the second week starts at COP29 with Health Day, experts from the global health community come together to talk about the emergency that fossil fuel pollution and climate change pose to human health and the urgency for countries to chart a future that is not dependent on fossil fuels. When contacted, Bhavreen Kandhari, environmentalist and co-founder of Warrior Moms told The Indian Express, "As COP29 goes into the second week, it must prioritise a bold, inclusive climate action plan that addresses urban air quality, invests in renewable energy and supports vulnerable regions in mitigating the environmental aspects of pollution. We are in a public health emergency and Delhi's choking smog is not just a local crisis but a stark reminder of South Asia's escalating battle with air pollution and climate inaction,” she said. Speakers, including physicians, medical students and public health experts issued a call from the global health community to immediately address the fossil fuel health crisis, finance and conflict of interest, stating that the cost of inaction is far more than action. Aarti Khosla, director at Climate Trends, pointed out how Delhi's AQI on Monday is close to 450 and on an average, and touched 1000 ug/m3 in many parts of the city. "The fact that no single source of pollution is going to be the worst, but there will be many, which will include black carbon, ozone, fumes from fossil burning, fumes from farm fires and so on, should make us look at solutions which are also multidisciplinary. As temperatures drop in a La Nina year, wind circulation has also been quite poor, leaving pollutants to hang in the air. We are all gathered here to talk about bigger issues that affect our climate and countries are dragging their feet when lives and health of millions are at risk. We need to urgently respond to the realities of climate change the world is facing today,” Khosla said. Enkhun Byambadorj, co-founder at Breathe Mongolia, in a statement said, "We don't have a winter season, but an air pollution season in Mongolia now. A child living in a city versus a rural area has 40 per cent lower lung function capacity due to air pollution. However, we need to address this problem holistically. The narrative in support of fossil fuels focusses on strong economic development and growth as the only parameter of success. We need to re-frame this narrative and discourse. The air we breathe is a choice we make as a society at the expense of our young children and the future of everyone.” There is broad consensus from the health community on the need to phase out fossil fuels, redirect health-harming subsidies from the sector and apply some of the lessons learnt from tobacco control to apply also to fossil fuels. An ambitious finance target is essential to support healthy and just transitions to renewable energy, as well as to enable adaptation across health and health-determining sectors and to respond to health losses and damages.
