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Climate emergency is the biggest health crisis of our time - bigger than Covid Pascal Soriot As toll on public health and global economy rises, radical action is needed on greenhouse gas emissions. Mon 10 Apr 2023 15.57 BST he latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report is a grim, yet unsurprising, reminder of the catastrophic effect global heating is having on our planet. The message from leading climate scientists is clear: action is needed now. Not tomorrow, not next year, not by the end of the decade. Even drastic carbon reduction today that limits temperature increases to the 1.5C agreed in Paris will alter the world we live in for ever. The IPCC concludes that every fraction of a degree more will edge us towards tipping points that will leave deep scars on our planet. While much has been said about the damage to weather patterns, crop yields and coral reefs, less well understood is the effect a hotter world has on our health. The reality is that the climate crisis is the biggest health crisis of our time, bigger even than Covid-19. There has been a rise in chronic diseases linked to air pollution Heat-related deaths are expected to treble by 2050. Currently 7 million people die prematurely each year from air pollution, more than the death toll during the entire pandemic. There has been a rise in chronic diseases linked to air pollution, and evidence suggests it is driving up cancer rates, too. Lung cancer and respiratory-related deaths linked to air pollution are up 160% over the past 30 years and it causes genetic mutations in some lung cancer-linked genes. Q Search LW W The toll on loved ones, public health and the economy is large and rising. It has been estimated that poor health costs the global economy 15% of global GDP. It is not only oil companies, carmakers and airlines at fault. Healthcare alone contributes 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, up to 8% in advanced economies. Investing in greenhouse gas reduction is now proven beyond doubt, equalled or outweighed by the economic benefits of a healthier population, the IPCC says. Increasingly investors are focused on those companies that are taking bold and science-driven action to mitigate climate warming. While this is the right thing to do, it also makes good business sense. Decarbonising the economy is an opportunity and a driver of growth, which is why the backlash against environmental, social and governance focused investing is so misguided. As we saw during the pandemic, science finds a way, ingenuity triumphs and is duly rewarded. At my company, AstraZeneca, we are on track to meet our targets to: reduce scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions - those from burning fuels and energy use-by 98% by 2026; halve our absolute total emissions across our value chain by 2030; and be net zero by 2045. In addition, we have planted millions of trees as part of a large reforestation and biodiversity restoration programme. Like it or not, regulatory requirements are moving towards stopping companies selling products that are not sustainable. In Japan we have converted paper leaflets to e-leaflets for all our products, reducing costs, simplifying operations and saving 180 tonnes of waste and 30m sheets of paper the equivalent of 4,500 trees. But companies cannot act alone. Together we must make public health more resilient, so that it can cope with change and become truly accessible. A forum such as the Sustainable Markets Initiative established by King Charles when he was Prince of Wales, convening stakeholders from across industries, is a good example of collaboration to take shared action at scale. The toll on human health is huge and likely to get worse. Healthcare companies will do all they can to treat patients suffering from climate-related disease. Prevention, however, will have the biggest impact on health. Only by taking radical action on greenhouse gas emissions will we be able to say that we are doing everything we can for the health of humanity. Q Search L с 1

Climate emergency is the biggest health crisis of our time - bigger than Covid Pascal Soriot As toll on public health and global economy rises, radical action is needed on greenhouse gas emissions. Mon 10 Apr 2023 15.57 BST he latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report is a grim, yet unsurprising, reminder of the catastrophic effect global heating is having on our planet. The message from leading climate scientists is clear: action is needed now. Not tomorrow, not next year, not by the end of the decade. Even drastic carbon reduction today that limits temperature increases to the 1.5C agreed in Paris will alter the world we live in for ever. The IPCC concludes that every fraction of a degree more will edge us towards tipping points that will leave deep scars on our planet. While much has been said about the damage to weather patterns, crop yields and coral reefs, less well understood is the effect a hotter world has on our health. The reality is that the climate crisis is the biggest health crisis of our time, bigger even than Covid-19. There has been a rise in chronic diseases linked to air pollution Heat-related deaths are expected to treble by 2050. Currently 7 million people die prematurely each year from air pollution, more than the death toll during the entire pandemic. There has been a rise in chronic diseases linked to air pollution, and evidence suggests it is driving up cancer rates, too. Lung cancer and respiratory-related deaths linked to air pollution are up 160% over the past 30 years and it causes genetic mutations in some lung cancer-linked genes. Q Search LW W The toll on loved ones, public health and the economy is large and rising. It has been estimated that poor health costs the global economy 15% of global GDP. It is not only oil companies, carmakers and airlines at fault. Healthcare alone contributes 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, up to 8% in advanced economies. Investing in greenhouse gas reduction is now proven beyond doubt, equalled or outweighed by the economic benefits of a healthier population, the IPCC says. Increasingly investors are focused on those companies that are taking bold and science-driven action to mitigate climate warming. While this is the right thing to do, it also makes good business sense. Decarbonising the economy is an opportunity and a driver of growth, which is why the backlash against environmental, social and governance focused investing is so misguided. As we saw during the pandemic, science finds a way, ingenuity triumphs and is duly rewarded. At my company, AstraZeneca, we are on track to meet our targets to: reduce scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions - those from burning fuels and energy use-by 98% by 2026; halve our absolute total emissions across our value chain by 2030; and be net zero by 2045. In addition, we have planted millions of trees as part of a large reforestation and biodiversity restoration programme. Like it or not, regulatory requirements are moving towards stopping companies selling products that are not sustainable. In Japan we have converted paper leaflets to e-leaflets for all our products, reducing costs, simplifying operations and saving 180 tonnes of waste and 30m sheets of paper the equivalent of 4,500 trees. But companies cannot act alone. Together we must make public health more resilient, so that it can cope with change and become truly accessible. A forum such as the Sustainable Markets Initiative established by King Charles when he was Prince of Wales, convening stakeholders from across industries, is a good example of collaboration to take shared action at scale. The toll on human health is huge and likely to get worse. Healthcare companies will do all they can to treat patients suffering from climate-related disease. Prevention, however, will have the biggest impact on health. Only by taking radical action on greenhouse gas emissions will we be able to say that we are doing everything we can for the health of humanity. Q Search L с 1

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Understanding the scale and impact of climate change is crucial for our survival and the health of our planet. As highlighted in the article “Climate emergency is the biggest health crisis of our time - bigger than Covid” by Pascal Soriot, the climate crisis is not only a threat to the environment but also to global health, making it even more urgent than the COVID-19 pandemic. The article stresses that immediate and radical action is necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as the effects of global heating are already causing irreversible damage to both ecosystems and human health. The climate crisis has far-reaching consequences, including rising temperatures, which are linked to an increase in heat-related deaths. Soriot states that heat-related deaths are expected to triple by 2050, and already, 7 million people die annually due to air pollution. This staggering toll exceeds the death count from the entire COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, chronic diseases such as cancer are being exacerbated by increased air pollution, with lung cancer rates rising 160% over the past three decades due to mutations linked to polluted air (Soriot, 2023). These statistics illustrate the severe human cost of climate change, emphasizing that its effects are felt on both a personal and societal level. To avert the devastating impact of climate change, Soriot argues that both governments and industries must take swift and decisive action. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) calls for an urgent reduction in carbon emissions, noting that even small temperature increases will lead to tipping points that will leave lasting scars on our planet. Reducing emissions is not only an environmental responsibility but also makes economic sense. Investing in sustainable practices can lead to better health outcomes, saving billions in health costs globally, while also boosting business growth by attracting investors who value environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards (Soriot, 2023). Corporations like AstraZeneca, where Soriot serves as CEO, are setting ambitious goals to decarbonize their operations. AstraZeneca aims to reduce its emissions by 98% by 2026 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2045. These measures, coupled with reforestation programs, represent a commitment to mitigating climate change. However, as Soriot points out, companies cannot act alone; collaboration between industries, governments, and healthcare systems is essential. For example, the Sustainable Markets Initiative, convened by King Charles, brings together stakeholders from across industries to take collective action, demonstrating that shared efforts are critical in addressing this global emergency (Soriot, 2023). In conclusion, climate change represents the biggest health crisis of our time, surpassing even the deadly impact of COVID-19. To prevent further catastrophic effects, it is imperative that we act now by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, investing in sustainable practices, and working together across sectors. The article clearly shows that the toll on human health and the economy will only grow if we fail to address this crisis. Prevention, through bold and immediate actions, remains the most effective way to protect both our planet and future generations. References: Soriot, P. (2023, April 10). Climate emergency is the biggest health crisis of our time - bigger than Covid. The Guardian. Rephrase this and add more information in your word
Climate emergency is the biggest health crisis of our time - bigger than Covid Pascal Soriot As toll on public health and global economy rises, radical action is needed on greenhouse gas emissions. Mon 10 Apr 2023 15.57 BST he latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report is a grim, yet unsurprising, reminder of the catastrophic effect global heating is having on our planet. The message from leading climate scientists is clear: action is needed now. Not tomorrow, not next year, not by the end of the decade. Even drastic carbon reduction today that limits temperature increases to the 1.5C agreed in Paris will alter the world we live in for ever. The IPCC concludes that every fraction of a degree more will edge us towards tipping points that will leave deep scars on our planet. While much has been said about the damage to weather patterns, crop yields and coral reefs, less well understood is the effect a hotter world has on our health. The reality is that the climate crisis is the biggest health crisis of our time, bigger even than Covid-19. There has been a rise in chronic diseases linked to air pollution Heat-related deaths are expected to treble by 2050. Currently 7 million people die prematurely each year from air pollution, more than the death toll during the entire pandemic. There has been a rise in chronic diseases linked to air pollution, and evidence suggests it is driving up cancer rates, too. Lung cancer and respiratory-related deaths linked to air pollution are up 160% over the past 30 years and it causes genetic mutations in some lung cancer-linked genes. Q Search LW W
Transcribed Image Text:Climate emergency is the biggest health crisis of our time - bigger than Covid Pascal Soriot As toll on public health and global economy rises, radical action is needed on greenhouse gas emissions. Mon 10 Apr 2023 15.57 BST he latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report is a grim, yet unsurprising, reminder of the catastrophic effect global heating is having on our planet. The message from leading climate scientists is clear: action is needed now. Not tomorrow, not next year, not by the end of the decade. Even drastic carbon reduction today that limits temperature increases to the 1.5C agreed in Paris will alter the world we live in for ever. The IPCC concludes that every fraction of a degree more will edge us towards tipping points that will leave deep scars on our planet. While much has been said about the damage to weather patterns, crop yields and coral reefs, less well understood is the effect a hotter world has on our health. The reality is that the climate crisis is the biggest health crisis of our time, bigger even than Covid-19. There has been a rise in chronic diseases linked to air pollution Heat-related deaths are expected to treble by 2050. Currently 7 million people die prematurely each year from air pollution, more than the death toll during the entire pandemic. There has been a rise in chronic diseases linked to air pollution, and evidence suggests it is driving up cancer rates, too. Lung cancer and respiratory-related deaths linked to air pollution are up 160% over the past 30 years and it causes genetic mutations in some lung cancer-linked genes. Q Search LW W
The toll on loved ones, public health and the economy is large and rising. It has been estimated that poor health costs the global economy 15% of global GDP. It is not only oil companies, carmakers and airlines at fault. Healthcare alone contributes 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, up to 8% in advanced economies. Investing in greenhouse gas reduction is now proven beyond doubt, equalled or outweighed by the economic benefits of a healthier population, the IPCC says. Increasingly investors are focused on those companies that are taking bold and science-driven action to mitigate climate warming. While this is the right thing to do, it also makes good business sense. Decarbonising the economy is an opportunity and a driver of growth, which is why the backlash against environmental, social and governance focused investing is so misguided. As we saw during the pandemic, science finds a way, ingenuity triumphs and is duly rewarded. At my company, AstraZeneca, we are on track to meet our targets to: reduce scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions - those from burning fuels and energy use-by 98% by 2026; halve our absolute total emissions across our value chain by 2030; and be net zero by 2045. In addition, we have planted millions of trees as part of a large reforestation and biodiversity restoration programme. Like it or not, regulatory requirements are moving towards stopping companies selling products that are not sustainable. In Japan we have converted paper leaflets to e-leaflets for all our products, reducing costs, simplifying operations and saving 180 tonnes of waste and 30m sheets of paper the equivalent of 4,500 trees. But companies cannot act alone. Together we must make public health more resilient, so that it can cope with change and become truly accessible. A forum such as the Sustainable Markets Initiative established by King Charles when he was Prince of Wales, convening stakeholders from across industries, is a good example of collaboration to take shared action at scale. The toll on human health is huge and likely to get worse. Healthcare companies will do all they can to treat patients suffering from climate-related disease. Prevention, however, will have the biggest impact on health. Only by taking radical action on greenhouse gas emissions will we be able to say that we are doing everything we can for the health of humanity. Q Search L с 1
Transcribed Image Text:The toll on loved ones, public health and the economy is large and rising. It has been estimated that poor health costs the global economy 15% of global GDP. It is not only oil companies, carmakers and airlines at fault. Healthcare alone contributes 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, up to 8% in advanced economies. Investing in greenhouse gas reduction is now proven beyond doubt, equalled or outweighed by the economic benefits of a healthier population, the IPCC says. Increasingly investors are focused on those companies that are taking bold and science-driven action to mitigate climate warming. While this is the right thing to do, it also makes good business sense. Decarbonising the economy is an opportunity and a driver of growth, which is why the backlash against environmental, social and governance focused investing is so misguided. As we saw during the pandemic, science finds a way, ingenuity triumphs and is duly rewarded. At my company, AstraZeneca, we are on track to meet our targets to: reduce scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions - those from burning fuels and energy use-by 98% by 2026; halve our absolute total emissions across our value chain by 2030; and be net zero by 2045. In addition, we have planted millions of trees as part of a large reforestation and biodiversity restoration programme. Like it or not, regulatory requirements are moving towards stopping companies selling products that are not sustainable. In Japan we have converted paper leaflets to e-leaflets for all our products, reducing costs, simplifying operations and saving 180 tonnes of waste and 30m sheets of paper the equivalent of 4,500 trees. But companies cannot act alone. Together we must make public health more resilient, so that it can cope with change and become truly accessible. A forum such as the Sustainable Markets Initiative established by King Charles when he was Prince of Wales, convening stakeholders from across industries, is a good example of collaboration to take shared action at scale. The toll on human health is huge and likely to get worse. Healthcare companies will do all they can to treat patients suffering from climate-related disease. Prevention, however, will have the biggest impact on health. Only by taking radical action on greenhouse gas emissions will we be able to say that we are doing everything we can for the health of humanity. Q Search L с 1
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