A new report warns that the climate crisis poses severe risks to maternal health and newborns, a critical “blind spot” in global climate action plans ahead of the COP29 summit in November.
Authored by an international consortium of 80 scientists from 45 countries, the report highlights the potential collapse of vital ecosystems, including the Amazon rainforest and key Atlantic Ocean currents, emphasizing the urgent need for decisive action.
The findings reveal alarming links between climate extremes and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
For instance, a study in India found that heat stress doubled the risk of miscarriage, while another in California associated long-term heat exposure with increased stillbirth and premature births.
Flooding contributes to over 100,000 lost pregnancies annually across parts of South and Central America, Asia, and Africa, disproportionately affecting women with lower socioeconomic status.
Only 27 national climate plans address maternal health, exposing a critical gap in action.Despite these alarming trends, only 27 out of 119 national climate plans submitted to the UN include measures addressing maternal health.
“Global temperature records continue to break, exacerbating threats to maternal health,” cautioned Prof. Jemilah Mahmood from Malaysia’s Sunway Centre for Planetary Health.
She emphasized the necessity of early warning systems for heat extremes and improved healthcare infrastructure to mitigate these risks.
The report also points to the broader implications of the climate crisis, such as the rising levels of methane emissions and the escalating impacts of extreme weather events, which could result in $100 trillion in damages by century’s end.
The urgency of addressing these issues is echoed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who stated, “We’re out of time.”
As COP29 approaches, there is a critical need for global leaders to prioritize comprehensive climate action that safeguards both maternal health and essential ecosystems.
Without immediate and coordinated efforts, the consequences could be catastrophic for both people and the planet.