Faced with a planet sending increasingly alarming signals, the UISG has drawn attention to the link between the climate crisis and global health.

On 28 October, the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) brought together experts, institutions, religious organizations and humanitarian workers for the event Responding to Climate Change as a Health Crisis, with the aim of placing at the center of the debate an emergency that can no longer be ignored.

Sr. Mary John Kudiyiruppil, Associate Executive Secretary of the UISG, emphasized the commitment of women religious to caring for our common home through the initiative Sowing Hope for the Planet. The event also opened with remarks by Minister Christoph Braner of the German Embassy to the Holy See, and Dr. Giulia Amerio, Senior Health Officer at Caritas Internationalis.

Climate Change and Human Health

Dr. Martin Herrmann, Co-founder and Chair of the German Alliance on Climate Change and Health (KLUG), explained how the planet’s rapid changes have concrete effects on people’s physical, mental, and social health.
As he noted, “Despite years of warning signs, we now see that the planet is indeed in a situation where we have underestimated the risks.” Herrmann highlighted the value of community-based action and the role of social and religious networks in promoting significant changes in policies and daily habits.

Interventions by Minister Christoph Braner and Dr. Giulia Amerio showed how extreme climate events directly affect access to healthcare services and the spread of diseases, while Herrmann reminded participants that the energy transition is already underway and can drive social transformation when it begins within communities.

Concrete Experiences and Local Solutions

The discussion included field testimonies. Dr. Daud Jibon Das, Executive Director of Caritas Bangladesh, presented concrete interventions: emergency health camps, disaster-resistant housing, resilient crops, floating gardens, maternal and child health programs, and nutritional support.
Reema Nanavaty, Director of the Self-Employed Women’s Association of India (SEWA), shared the challenges facing millions of women working in the informal sector, who are affected by droughts, floods, and extreme heat. She presented solutions such as health training, telemedicine, and community-based adaptation models to protect health, income, and dignity.

Faith Communities and New Alliances for Planetary Health

Dr. Francis Kuria, Secretary General of Religions for Peace International, emphasized the importance of a spiritual approach that unites care for the planet with care for people. Contributions from Maureen Goodman, Programme Director at Brahma Kumaris UK, and from Caritas Internationalis drew attention to the impacts of climate change on mental health—especially in displaced communities—and to the need to include human and social loss in climate finance mechanisms.

The day concluded with a call to strengthen collaboration among institutions, religious communities, civil society, and local networks, promoting sustainable lifestyles and valuing initiatives that arise from within communities. The closing remarks were given by Sr. Maamalifar M. Poreku, Coordinator of Sowing Hope for the Planet, while the event was moderated by Giulia Isabel Cirillo, UISG Advocacy Coordinator.

The event demonstrated how cross-sector and interreligious alliances can become a key driver for the health of the planet and of future generations.

You are invited to watch the event video.