In the L.O.O.P or leap into Summer?

After a two-month hiatus, I'm back. These weeks have been a whirlwind—summer break, my daughter's leap into the double digits with a magical Harry Potter birthday bash, and a work journey to Srinagar that gifted Zoey her first encounter with snow.

Speaking of Srinagar, did you know it usually starts snowing?there in November, and this year it didn't start until the end of January. My neighbor, Dr. Shaiba, a Kashmiri cancer specialist, shared a tale of contrast. "Last October, our family trip to Pahalgam revealed a tranquil Lidder river?- a stark difference from its usual ferocity. The reason? A scant snowfall the previous winter. Returning in December, we hoped for a white blanket over the mountains, but they stood bare. Our Bangalore-born kids longed for snow, only to return home with wishes unmet. Over a month later, the dry spell persists, bringing with it a wave of respiratory ailments.” For those curious about the best time to visit Kashmir, I’ve always recommended May to September for verdant meadows and lively streams. For snow seekers, January and February are ideal—head straight to Gulmarg. But this year, the summer brought less water, and Gulmarg saw hardly any snow.

The climate shifts we're witnessing across India and Asia are unprecedented in both scale and frequency. Yet, what’s often overlooked is the nuanced impact of these changes - threatening the livelihoods of fishers, farmers, livestock keepers, and by extension, our very own sustenance. There’s also a gender dimension to this crisis. Did you know, there’s a link between elective hysterectomies in young women and climate change. Dive into this topic and more in my op-ed on how heat affects women’s health.

A Historic Shift: Health and Climate Take Center Stage

There's a glimmer of hope! I recently attended the World Health Assembly in Geneva, and everyone had New Delhi's scorching 50°C heatwave on their minds. In a historic move, the Assembly recognized climate change as a major threat to global health and approved a resolution prioritizing health and climate action.

This is a big deal. The resolution calls for countries to:

• Integrate climate data into health monitoring systems.
• Boost cooperation between different sectors (health, environment, etc.)
• Address the links between environment, health and sustainable development.?

It also supports WHO's call for global action to protect health and build resilient health systems. These were two key takeaways from the World Health Assembly.?

1. From NCDs to NDCs: Funding Climate Action

One key discussion focused on climate action plans. We used to talk about NCDs (non-communicable diseases) –? now, NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) are equally important to halt climate change and take corrective measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and restore the health of the planet and our own?health and wellbeing.? 2. People-First Solutions: Local Voices Matter

I had the privilege of speaking on two panels during the World Health Assembly, emphasizing the importance of a "people-first" approach. This means listening closely to the communities we serve and designing solutions that are relevant and locally appropriate. Only then will solutions be accepted, implemented, and sustained. As I write this, India's general election results are in. A new government is forming, reflecting the diversity of choices that peoples across the country have made. This highlights the power of participation in shaping the country we want- a country that truly cherishes and fulfills the principle of equitable representation and equal access to its resources. As Nelson Mandela said, “A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but by its lowest ones."?

Here's to free and fair elections, and a world where people's voices are heard!

It's Your Turn To Act

June 5th was World Environment?Day.?To mark the occasion, I put together a short video summarizing my experiences working with health workers on the issue of climate over the past year. Check it out and ask yourself: What can you do with the knowledge you have? How can you join the discussion and take action? Watch the video on Swasti’s YouTube channel to learn more about the very real and worrying impacts climate change has on vulnerable communities, and get involved in climate action efforts. Together, we can build a healthier and more sustainable future.

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