By Sharmila Dhungana, GCHA Member Coordinator, and Emily Benson, GCHA Communications Advisor
In a volatile global political climate, where borders are closing, aid is shrinking, and scientific collaboration is being undermined, the Global Climate and Health Alliance (GCHA)’s first General Membership Assembly, held virtually on 20 February 2024, stands as a powerful example of how health practitioners can continue to forge connections and share vital information in the face of these global challenges.
Why coordination matters
In recent months, we’ve witnessed an alarming rise in protectionist and populist policies, with the US reasserting its national borders, pulling out of the Paris Agreement and radically limiting aid to low income countries. At the same time, scientific research and evidence-based solutions so crucial in the fight against climate change and its health impacts, are being marginalised. These political shifts are already being felt in the global health sector, where the health consequences of climate change – from wild fires to infectious disease outbreaks – are more urgent than ever.
As multilateral agreements face attacks and as global funding for health initiatives is slashed, local and regional networks will become more critical. The GCHA exemplifies how health professionals representing a huge array of expertise and geographies can continue to connect, mobilise, and share information, despite political challenges. Such efforts are vital not only to address immediate needs but to ensure that health remains at the forefront of global climate action.
GCHA’s role in coordinating global health efforts
The assembly opened with a keynote dialogue panel featuring Dr. Vanessa Kerry, CEO of Seed Global Health and WHO Special Envoy for Climate Change and Health, and Hon. Minister Khumbize Chiponda, Malawi’s Minister of Health. Their discussion focused on Malawi’s ongoing health challenges, worsened by climate change, such as disease outbreaks, heatwaves, and damage to healthcare infrastructure. These challenges are compounded by political and financial disruptions that push vulnerable countries to the brink.
Despite these obstacles, Malawi’s health sector has shown resilience, partly due to efforts in capacity-building, training, and the strengthening of community networks. Minister Chiponda’s message underscored the urgent need for streamlined funding mechanisms and coordinated responses from international partners to support countries like Malawi. This reinforces the critical point that cooperation between nations and sectors is essential to deliver the climate-health solutions needed to address the rapidly intensifying challenges. In addition, as Dr. Kerry noted, the health community has a vital role to play in drawing attention to critical issues at the intersection of climate and health, and driving better policy making.
The role of local and regional cooperation
As the global political landscape becomes more fragmented, localised and regional coordination is increasingly essential. During the assembly, GCHA members discussed how to enhance their collective impact by strengthening regional collaboration. Regional convenings and connections act as bridges, helping local communities connect with governments, the private sector, and civil society organisations to amplify both climate and health efforts. In an era of challenges facing international cooperation, it is these regional connections that hold the power to drive real, scalable change in tackling the climate-health nexus.
By fostering cross-border partnerships, regional networks can also help address the data imbalances in climate and health research. Much of the current research focuses on high-income countries, leaving major gaps in understanding how climate change impacts low-income and vulnerable communities. Regional networks and collaboration can gather crucial region-specific data, ensuring that global strategies reflect the lived experiences of those most affected by climate change.
Strengthening collective action.
For GCHA, the need for coordination extends beyond merely addressing current health challenges. Members discussed creating practical tools—such as a standardised manual—to guide advocacy efforts, programme development, and policy engagement. By ensuring that all members have access to the same knowledge, resources, and tools, GCHA can strengthen its collective capacity to respond quickly and effectively to emerging health and climate crises.
Members also emphasised the importance of emotional support within the alliance. In a world facing increasing uncertainty, self-care and a supportive environment are vital to sustaining the energy and commitment needed to tackle the climate-health crises before us.
Looking to the future
GCHA members envision a world where:
- Health and equity are central to climate action.
- National health systems are resilient, adequately funded, and prepared for climate-induced health risks.
- Fossil fuels are phased out, everyone has access to the clean energy they need to support healthy lives, and indigenous and local communities are actively included in climate decisions.
In a world increasingly divided, health professionals and organisations must continue to forge alliances, build networks, and share knowledge to create health systems capable of withstanding the dual challenges of climate change and health. GCHA’s fundamental guiding belief is that, even in uncertain times, we are stronger together.
