The perspectives from developing countries on climate change and health are crucial for several reasons. Firstly, many developing countries are often highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, e.g. due to their geographical exposition, limited resources to anticipate or recover, and lesser capacity to adapt. This inherent vulnerability makes the better understanding of their specific challenges and perspectives essential for the development of effective global climate strategies. Secondly, in many developing countries, public health systems are already under strain. Climate change can exacerbate existing health challenges such as infectious diseases, malnutrition, and water scarcity.
Understanding these unique health impacts can guide more effective and targeted interventions. Moreover, limited economic resources in developing countries mean that they often struggle to respond to and recover from climate-induced health crises. Insights into these economic constraints can help in allocating international aid and support more effectively. Furthermore, the socio-cultural contexts of developing countries can significantly influence the effectiveness of health and climate change policies. Understanding these dimensions is key to designing interventions that are culturally aligned and gender sensitive, i.e. more likely to be successful.
