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When the leaders of the G7 nations, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, meet on May 26 and 27in Japan, they will be discussing major health issues such as maternal health and universal health coverage. During those discussions, they also need to talk about coal-fired power plants that are used to generate electricity.

Why are coal plants a health issue? Because, on a global scale, they are one of the most significant sources of emissions that contribute to climate change, which has been declared to be “the greatest threat to global health in the 21st century” by the World Health Organization (WHO).

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Climate change affects so many of the elements that are necessary for life and health: the stability of our weather, the quality of our air, the security and safety of our food and water supplies, and the security of our housing, transportation and power systems.

Researchers tell us that climate change is already claiming thousands of lives each year with heat waves, floods, hunger and infectious diseases. This is particularly true for the elderly who are vulnerable to heat and for children who are living in developing countries. The WHO estimates that climate change will produce an additional 250,000 deaths each year by 2030 unless dramatic action is taken to slow climate change.