Mala Balaji, Researcher.

COP27 was a much-awaited climate summit as vulnerable developing countries and low-and middle-income countries were expecting definitive action to be taken in light of the growing visible impacts of climate change. Up until this year, COPs had a reputation of unkept promises and ambitions. But after the devastating impacts of climate change in the form of extreme weather events, the planet was awaiting real action by world leaders. COP27 was nicknamed the ‘implementation COP’ since the promises and expectations of yesteryear’s COPs were pending action.

Research on the correlation between climate change and mental health is a new but rapidly growing field. The term mental health in particular does not refer to mental illness, mental problems and mental disorders alone but also includes states of mental wellness, emotional resilience and psychological well-being.

The science has spoken! As per the recently released report “The physical science basis” by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), there is irrefutable evidence that humans are responsible for the current climate crisis we find ourselves in. Greenhouse gas emissions are choking the planet and the billions of people living in every nook and corner of the world, threatening their very existence.