Global Health Threats: Global Warming in Perspective (Report‪)‬

Introduction Several influential policymakers have declared that climate change is one of the defining challenges of this century. (1,2) In their wake, even august publications such as The Lancet have taken the position that "climate change is the biggest global health threat of the 21st century.' Such assertions have serious implications for allocation of fiscal and human resources to address global public health problems. Societal resources devoted to curb carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions will be unavailable for other--and as will be shown--more urgent tasks including vector control, developing safer water supplies or installing sanitation facilities in developing countries, or for cancer research or drug development in developed countries. Additionally, reduction in wealth due to higher energy costs and lower energy usage could have serious consequences, not only for society's public health, (4) but also for its continued ability to adapt to present or future health threats. (5)