Addressing misunderstandings, galvanizing data-driven frameworks for climate action for Pakistan

Climate change is a term that is increasingly being used casually and rhetorically. However, some misconceptions about this critical topic deserve immediate addressing. These misconceptions date back to the 1980s, when the polar bear accidentally became associated with climate change. While the focus was on the Arctic's remote icy regions, the real climate crisis had already taken hold in densely populated neighborhoods where human live – ‘human health crises’. Nonetheless, most assertions of climate change and impact on human health are anecdotal and based on commentaries in the context of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as Pakistan. Addressing these gaps and misconceptions is essential and urgent, especially considering climate change's far-reaching health implications.

Climate change manifests itself as a meta-health issue primarily pushing the normal pathways of disease development. Extreme weather events such as floods cause displacement and aggravate human crisis more directly manifest the impact (direct impact). However, it also exacerbates existing disease conditions and exploit vulnerable conditions. It further deteriorates the dismal water quality, escalates pollution, disrupts food availability from destruction of crops to supply chain, and facilitate the geographical spread of vector-borne diseases (subtle and indirect impact). Understanding the direct and, in particular, the indirect pathways of climate change impact from a localized perspective is crucial in LMICs like Pakistan.

Improving the understanding of the indirect impact pathways requires more systematic studies beyond anecdotal evidence. In this context, long-term observation (longitudinal data) becomes imperative as climate change effects manifest in both immediate (easily studied) but more importantly longer term. Analyzing this longitudinal data systematically is essential to identify data-driven causal mechanisms between exposure (climate data and in combination with existing environmental conditions) and health outcomes which is generally lacking in LMICs. However, LMICs like Pakistan often lack the necessary funds, resources, and infrastructure to translate scientific data (and at times lack of available data) into actionable solutions for climate change-related health problems.

The economic impact of climate change is poised to be substantial for nations, disproportionately affecting lower-income countries despite their lower contribution to this crisis. As annual economic costs surge to $100 billion, LMICs must redefine healthcare budgets to accommodate weather shocks, disease outbreaks due to internal displacements, and long-term visions of efficient macroeconomic policies for the healthcare sector. Pakistan urgently needs significant investment to combat climate change since the combined hazards of climate-related catastrophes are expected to reduce Pakistan's GDP by 18 to 20% by 2050.

Understanding climate change can be overwhelming and misleading therefore it is important to see it through a focused lens. The World Health Organization (WHO) developed the Driving Force, Pressure, State, Exposure, Effect, and Action (DPSEEA) framework to address its complexities. The main intervention points for climate change and health involve aligning population policy, energy policy, and technology policies. Prioritizing these concerns is crucial for countries like Pakistan to develop sustainable ecosystems, withstand extreme events, and establish resilient healthcare systems at the grassroots level.

As Pakistan grapples with the repercussions of climate change, bridging the gap in UNDERSTANDING the impact of climate change and prioritizing ACTIONS must be a priority.