JUST TRANSITION: Connecting the crises and putting health at the heart of Africa’s energy future

The 18th World Congress on Public Health, set to convene in Cape Town, presents a pivotal opportunity for the global public health community to address the escalating health impacts of the climate crisis and promote energy justice in Africa. As delegates from various regions affected by crises such as war, conflict, displacement, floods, drought, failed harvests, extreme heat, toxic air, and failing public services convene, the congress aims to connect often-separated crises and lead a justice-based response.

The theme of "Health Without Borders: Equity, Inclusion, and Sustainability" underscores the urgency of understanding the interconnected nature of these issues, particularly in light of the super El Niño conditions that will influence global temperature and rainfall patterns, increasing the risk of extreme weather. The congress will also focus on the Strait of Hormuz conflict, where tensions between the United States and Iran, along with attacks on shipping, threaten a key route for about one-fifth of global oil supplies.

This conflict exacerbates the health impacts of fossil-fuel dependence, as rising oil prices, increased transport and food costs, and fiscal strain on fossil fuel-importing countries further burden already stretched health systems. The congress serves as a platform for the public health community to recognize the shared systems behind these crises and identify effective strategies to address them, emphasizing the need for climate action, protection of vulnerable populations, and the delivery of early warning systems for all.

Brief written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.