In 2009, The Lancet published a Series of groundbreaking papers presenting evidence for certain actions to tackle climate change that might improve health. These health co-benefits-which are additional to the global-health benefits that come from mitigation-could partly offset the costs of tackling climate change. This positive news contrasts with the widespread belief that policies to tackle climate change will be socially and economically demanding. The public health benefits of mitigation need to be more prominent in international negotiations and domestic policy making. The Series coincided with the last set of UN climate-change talks in Copenhagen, Denmark; however, despite the best efforts of the environmental and health communities to emphasise the urgency of action, many see the Copenhagen meeting as having been a disappointment. No internationally binding treaty to address climate change was signed to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012, and health remained too low on the agenda. What can we hope for the next set of talks that will take place in Cancun, Mexico, on Nov 29? Can new allies and evidence be brought to bear on this substantial public health threat?
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