By ICIR Nigeria
An additional 250,000 people will die every year between 2030 and 2050 due to the effects of climate change, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.
It also stated that already, 12.6 million people die every year from diseases associated with environmental hazards, such as water, soil or air pollution and climate change.
The pronouncements come a day after Donald Trump, US president, withdrew from the climate change agreement that the US and 94 other countries, including Nigeria, signed in 2015.
Trump had described the agreement as a “massive redistribution of United States wealth to other countries”, saying he would try to renegotiate a better deal.
“In order to fulfil my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens, the United States will withdraw from the Paris climate accord but begin negotiations to re-enter either the Paris accord, or an entirely new transaction on terms that are fair to the United States, its businesses, its workers, its people, its tax-payers,” he said.
“So we’re getting out. But we will start to negotiate and we will see if we can make a deal that’s fair. And if we can, that’s great. And if we can’t, that’s fine.”
It would appear WHO’s statements were in response to Trump’s action, as it also tweeted: “Climate Change is a health problem. Let’s take action for a healthier environment! #ParisAgreement”
Climate change threatens your health.#ClimateChange is expected to cause 250,000 additional deaths per year between 2030-2050 pic.twitter.com/5uml4NPdPO
— WHO (@WHO) June 2, 2017
Every year 12.6 million people die from diseases associated w/ environmental hazards, such as water, soil or #AirPollution & #ClimateChange pic.twitter.com/X6Roq4BiSA
— WHO (@WHO) June 2, 2017
#ClimateChange is a health problem.
Let’s take action for a healthier environment!#ParisAgreement pic.twitter.com/aZwxBNluGr— WHO (@WHO) June 2, 2017