Handwashing Saves 1.6 Million Lives Annually
A WHO report confirms that implementing health and climate measures saves lives and generates economic profits.
Translated by Qiyas from الجريدة — Original source
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed on Wednesday that implementing certain health and climate-related measures could save the lives of approximately 1.6 million people annually and generate trillions of dollars for the economy.
A report by the UN agency, published days before the launch of the COP31 climate conference and reported by Agence France-Presse, recommended establishing early warning systems for health and heat, building water and sanitation infrastructure resilient to climate change, improving hand hygiene, adopting cleaner sources of household energy, and implementing more efficient pricing for fossil fuels.
In a statement, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “The climate crisis is a health crisis, but most of the harm it causes can be avoided using tools we already have.”
The WHO report stated that launching six concrete measures would deliver a “triple win” consisting of “healthier communities, lower emissions, and stronger economies,” adding that, in addition to saving lives, these measures could help avoid 16.7 billion tons of annual carbon dioxide emissions.
