World Health Summit Sounds Alarm: Climate Change Now a ‘Health Crisis’ Demanding Immediate Action
Hong Kong – In a stark warning issued at the AVPN Global Conference 2025, the World Health Summit (WHS) has declared the climate crisis to be unequivocally a ‘health crisis,’ urging a fundamental shift in global priorities and investment. This breaking news comes as the world grapples with increasingly frequent and severe climate-related health emergencies.
A scene from the World Health Summit 2024, highlighting the global platform for international health discussions.
The Urgent Intersection of Climate and Health
Carsten Schicker, head of the WHS, emphasized that the current geopolitical landscape necessitates a renewed focus on collaborative solutions. “It is now clear that the ‘climate crisis’ is also a ‘health crisis’,” Schicker stated. “The system is not working properly, and we need a ‘fair’ forum where people can see eye to eye and have dialogue.” This isn’t simply about environmental concerns anymore; it’s about the immediate and escalating threats to human well-being – from heatwaves and respiratory illnesses to infectious disease outbreaks and food insecurity.
A Call for a ‘Common Currency’ in Climate Adaptation Finance
The WHS isn’t just identifying the problem; it’s pinpointing a critical obstacle to progress: fragmented funding. Schicker highlighted that while $1.3 trillion was allocated to global climate finance in 2022, a staggering 90% focused on mitigation (reducing greenhouse gas emissions), with only 5% dedicated to adaptation – preparing for the impacts already being felt. “The cost of failing to ‘adapt’ to the crisis that has already become a reality will be much greater,” he warned.
The key, according to Schicker, is establishing a “common currency” for climate adaptation, particularly in the health sector. Currently, climate finance benefits from a standardized metric – tons of CO₂ – but no such indicator exists for measuring the effectiveness of health adaptation investments. Quantifying the return on investment – increased productivity, reduced mortality rates, and strengthened healthcare systems – is crucial to attracting further funding from investors and financial institutions.
From Publishing to Public Health: A New Leader’s Vision
The WHS is undergoing a transformation under the leadership of CEO Carsten Schicker, who took the helm in 2022. Bringing nearly 20 years of experience from the private sector – including roles at Bauer Media Group and Bertelsmann – Schicker is applying business acumen to the complex challenges of global health. His background in strategy and finance is proving invaluable as he seeks to mobilize resources and drive innovation.
“My experience in private companies was meaningful, but I wanted to do something more meaningful someday,” Schicker explained. “I found that purpose through my current job.” This shift reflects a growing recognition that addressing global health challenges requires a multi-sectoral approach, leveraging the expertise and resources of both public and private entities.
COP28 and the Growing Momentum for Climate-Health Action
The WHS’s advocacy efforts are gaining traction on the international stage. The historic designation of a ‘Health Day’ at COP28 in Dubai in 2023, and the subsequent adoption of the ‘Climate and Health Declaration’ by over 120 countries, are significant milestones. Furthermore, numerous nations are now developing ‘climate and health adaptation plans,’ demonstrating a growing awareness of the interconnectedness of these issues.
The World Health Summit: A Platform for Trust and Collaboration
Founded in 2009 and held annually in Berlin, the WHS serves as a vital platform for dialogue and collaboration, bringing together policymakers, researchers, civil society organizations, and the private sector. With approximately 3,000 in-person attendees and 20,000 online participants, the summit tackles critical issues such as pandemic preparedness, vaccine accessibility, and health finance, all informed by rigorous scientific evidence. This year’s theme, ‘Responsibility for Health in a Fragmenting World,’ underscores the urgency of collective action.
Schicker believes the WHS offers a unique advantage in a fractured global landscape: “Trust is built on three foundations: shared standards and norms, solid evidence, and human exchange. The World Health Summit is a rare platform that possesses all three.”
The WHS is actively working to make health resilience and climate resilience an investable asset class, learning from the private sector how to attract funding, measure ROI, and demonstrate impact. This requires a fundamental shift in how we value and finance climate adaptation, recognizing that every dollar invested today will save exponentially more in the future.
Schicker, reflecting on the future, shared a deeply personal motivation: “I am the father of a seven-year-old son. When I imagine the future he will live in, I think a world where he can feel at ease is a ‘better future.’ Our generation has a duty to pass on a better Earth than the present to the next generation.”
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