The Health Crisis of Climate Change: Christiana Figueres' Call to Action

Christiana Figueres, a former UN climate chief and co-chair of a new Lancet Commission, has emphasized that countries are being "held hostage" by their reliance on fossil fuels, which poses severe health risks and exacerbates global inequalities. This commission aims to address the health impacts of sea-level rise, a pressing issue linked to climate change, and will report its findings by September 2027.

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Figueres highlighted that climate change is not a distant threat but a current crisis affecting drinking water, sanitation, and food security due to rising sea levels and salinization of coastal lands. She described these health impacts as “the mother of all injustices,” stressing that the crisis is deeply intertwined with human dignity and cultural continuity. The commission will explore the intergenerational trauma experienced by communities displaced by climate change, particularly in Pacific island nations like Tuvalu, Kiribati, and Fiji, which face the risk of becoming uninhabitable.

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The commission will also investigate how to hold major polluters accountable for the irreversible damage inflicted on vulnerable nations. A landmark advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2025 established that countries have a legal obligation to prevent climate harm, potentially leading to compensation claims. Figueres noted that while the ICJ's opinion is non-binding, it could catalyze an increase in climate litigation.

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In May, Vanuatu will spearhead a UN General Assembly resolution aimed at upholding the ICJ's opinion. However, there are concerns about resistance from certain states to acknowledge fossil fuel responsibility in climate harm discussions. Figueres pointed out that legally binding agreements alone, such as the Kyoto Protocol, do not guarantee compliance, citing Canada’s withdrawal from the agreement as a precedent.

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Figueres advocates for a multifaceted approach to climate action, combining legal pressure, scientific evidence, and appealing to the "enlightened self-interest" of governments and corporations. She argues that understanding the consequences of inaction is crucial for motivating emission reductions. Figueres stated, “Companies should understand for their business continuation, they should reduce emissions,” emphasizing that governments must also recognize the need to stabilize their economies through proactive climate measures.

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• “Can you imagine the pain of having to leave the bones of ancestors and being displaced in order to be able to protect the future of children?” — Christiana Figueres

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• “That is a pain that is already being experienced in the Pacific islands. That is a pain that we cannot put in economic terms. The grief is huge.” — Christiana Figueres

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• “Just the fact that the ICJ came out with an unequivocal opinion is already a crucial first step in terms of legal consequences,” — Christiana Figueres

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• “They simply sent me a letter and said, ‘Madam executive secretary, hereby, Canada removes itself from the Kyoto protocol.’ So having a legally binding agreement does not guarantee at all that any country would comply.” — Christiana Figueres

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• “I just think that enlightened self-interest based on scientific facts – which is what the commission is going to put forward – is a much more effective route to emission reductions than a legally binding agreement from which anybody can withdraw.” — Christiana Figueres

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The Lancet Commission led by Christiana Figueres aims to address the urgent health impacts of climate change, particularly due to sea-level rise. By combining legal accountability with a focus on human dignity and health, the commission seeks to influence policy and drive meaningful action against the climate crisis.

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