Climate change is undermining our health and the burden falls heaviest on women

The upcoming UN climate conference COP31, set to take place in Turkey, is being promoted as the "implementation COP," focusing on acting on existing promises to keep global warming within the critical threshold of 1.5°C. However, climate change is undermining public health, with the heaviest burden falling on women. Rising sea levels are contaminating fresh water supplies, while ocean warming is damaging coral reefs and reducing fish stocks, thereby affecting food security.

As a result, Pacific communities are turning to imported food, often high in calories but low in nutrients. Chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease have risen in the Pacific, with the region having the highest rates globally, responsible for 87% of deaths in the Western Pacific. Women, responsible for family care, bear the brunt of food and water insecurity, leading to exhaustion and mental health issues.

Despite this, women are developing and implementing their own climate solutions. The Pacific has the world's highest rates of chronic diseases, causing 87% of deaths in the Western Pacific region. However, these critical health issues are often overlooked in climate discussions. At the pre-COP meeting in Fiji and Tuvalu, Pacific leaders emphasized the need for climate action to reflect the everyday health realities of communities.

Chronic diseases should be included in national climate and health action plans, primary health care strengthened, and climate action gender-responsive, with women included in climate leadership. Most importantly, emissions reduction must be accelerated to keep 1.5°C within reach. Many Pacific Island nations are making progress in addressing these challenges, such as the Pacific Resilience Facility funding women-led climate projects like installing community water tanks.

Now, these priorities discussed in Fiji must be taken up at COP31, ensuring that health is central to the global agenda.