Environmental rights and wrongs.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Public Health
• Human Rights Law

Background:

• Global climate change is a dominant issue in academic, social, and political spheres.
• A gap exists between increased attention to climate change and the multidisciplinary debate needed for effective solutions.
• The intersection of climate change and human health is particularly underdeveloped, with international agreements lacking direct health considerations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the multifaceted links between environmental change, focusing on climate change, and the human right to health.
• To highlight the adverse impacts of climate change on human health that are often overlooked.
• To advocate for a more integrated approach in policy and research.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing research on climate change impacts.
• Analysis of international legal instruments and their shortcomings regarding health.
• Conceptual examination of the human right to health in the context of environmental change.

Main Results:

• International climate change agreements inadequately address the direct impacts on human health.
• There is a limited public and scientific understanding of the adverse health consequences of climate change.
• The concept of a human right to health provides a crucial framework for addressing climate-related health risks.

Conclusions:

• Effective climate change solutions require a robust understanding and integration of human health impacts.
• The human right to health framework is essential for developing comprehensive and equitable climate policies.
• Further research and policy development are needed to bridge the gap between climate action and public health protection.