The Commonwealth Centre for Digital Health (CWCDH) hosted an online event titled “Transforming the Climate Crisis and Our Planetary Emergency,” under its Platform for Planet, Place, and People (P4PPP). This pivotal event gathered experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from various fields to discuss and strategize on addressing the escalating climate crisis through innovative digital solutions.

Event Overview

The event focused on the urgent need to tackle the polycrisis of climate change and biodiversity loss, collectively termed the “Planetary Emergency.” It underscored the significance of integrating scientific and technological advancements to develop effective and sustainable interventions.

Dr. Jo Nurse, Strategic Advisor at the InterAction Council and Director of P4PPP, emphasized that the current decade is critical, likening it to the “golden hour” in emergency medicine, where timely intervention can save lives. She highlighted that the world has a two-thirds chance of exceeding the safe global temperature increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by 2027, which would have severe repercussions for biodiversity and human civilization.

Key Discussions

1. Digital Solutions for Climate Management:

   • The potential of emerging digital technologies was a central theme. Speakers elaborated on how big data, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing could analyze and address the complex, interconnected risks posed by climate change.
   • Examples of current digital solutions were showcased, such as mobile applications for environmental monitoring, platforms for data sharing among scientists, and AI-driven models predicting climate patterns.

2. Global Index for Vital Determinants of Life:

   • The event proposed the development of a Global Index for the Vital Determinants of Life. This index aims to identify and monitor critical thresholds for the biosphere’s tipping points, enabling rapid and effective interventions to stabilize planetary life systems.

3. Governance and Policy Recommendations:

   • Strengthening governance to manage existential threats, including climate change and potential risks from artificial intelligence, was discussed. The need for a trans-disciplinary approach involving collaboration across various sectors and regions was emphasized to ensure comprehensive and cohesive action.
   • Recommendations included enhancing disaster preparedness, investing in resilience-building, and ensuring equitable participation of vulnerable groups, particularly women and persons with disabilities, in climate action strategies.

Notable Contributions

• Professor Vajira Dissanayake, Chair of CWCDH, highlighted the role of digital health technologies in understanding and mitigating the impacts of climate change on human health.
• Thomas S. Axworthy, Secretary General of the InterAction Council, stressed the importance of international cooperation and the creation of a trans-disciplinary Planetary Health Service as a global public good.

Conclusion

The event concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders to leverage digital technologies and collaborate across disciplines to address the Planetary Emergency. The proposed solutions and frameworks set forth during the event provide a roadmap for achieving a sustainable and resilient future, ensuring the well-being of all life on Earth.

For more detailed information, download the report at our publication section.