Human Health Stories @ COP28

COP28 UN Climate Change has now turned the spotlight on the human health implications of climate change. Will the output for Day 3 be clear and shareable? human stories that might resonate with other humans??

Hopefully, as the climate movement has a storytelling problem.?

More frightening is that bad actors are great at telling bad stories that resonate with average people. This was the case with reports in 2021 of British Petroleum hiring advertising giant Ogilvy to “ promote the slant that climate change is not the fault of an oil giant, but that of individuals….and popularized the term “carbon footprint”? (Source: Guardian). Also, with ongoing misinformation posts despite new climate misinformation policies from social media companies like Tik Tok (Source: BBC).

The policies and discussions at climate events often remain confined within the walls of conference halls or buried in lengthy reports, failing to resonate with everyday people and the communication mediums they use. To spark action, we must bridge this gap, bringing these issues to the forefront of public discourse through relatable, human stories. In addition, climate related government funded programs have requirements for community engagement and approval.?

As an example of how climate events are impacting us, extreme temperatures, especially in urban areas, exacerbate health conditions like heart disease, increasing the risk of illness and mortality. The rise in air pollution, largely driven by wildfires, is another alarming factor, responsible for about 7 million deaths annually.

But there's hope. We have the power to make a difference and fuse stories in to our strategic recommendations. By being aware of climate-related health risks, we can encourage lifestyle changes - in the case of extreme heat, staying hydrated, avoiding sun exposure, and heeding weather warnings. Moreover, creativity promoting sustainable practices like using clean energy, walking or cycling, and choosing sustainable diets not only benefits the planet but also improves individual heath.

By understanding and sharing personal experiences related to climate-related health risks, we can make these issues more tangible.

Here is the Day 3 stream. I will extract stories that stand out.?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrqmhD9WWFQ