White-clad activists from the group Doctors For Extinction Rebellion marched from Geneva's Place des Nations to WHO headquarters where they were met by Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreysus, and Maria Neira, director of environment, climate change and health.
"The pandemic will end, but there is no vaccine for climate change," Tedros said as he welcomed the activists outside the building. "We have to act now, in solidarity, to prevent and prepare before it is too late." Professor Valerie D'Acremont, an infectious disease specialist and co-founder of Doctors For Extinction Rebellion, called on the WHO "to be the driving force and guarantor of public policies that respect the health of all and preserve life."
The activists handed Tedros a letter and a large hourglass, the symbol of Extinction Rebellion which wants to prompt a wider revolt to avert the worst scenarios of devastation outlined by scientists studying climate change. Tedros later retweeted a message from the WHO stating both bodies were "standing in solidarity & urging global action" to end the climate crisis and protect health everywhere. "These are inextricably intertwined."Subscribe for our daily curated newsletter to receive the latest exclusive Reuters coverage delivered to your inbox.
this is terrible news