In March, I had the opportunity to attend the first-ever ATACH meeting in Madrid, hosted by Spain’s Ministry of Health. ATACH, short for the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health, is a World Health Organization initiative that underscores the importance of the health sector in addressing climate change.

The event commenced with the ATACH Global Meeting and continued with an in-depth Trainers of the Trainers workshop, both of which facilitated advanced learning, fostered collaborative discussions, and expanded professional networks. Meeting Dr. Maria Neira, WHO’s Director of Environment, Climate Change & Health, was a highlight. Her insights on how proactive climate action directly benefits health outcomes were especially enlightening. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus’s assertion that “The Climate Crisis is a Health Crisis,” underscored the critical need for integrated health and climate strategies, which the meeting addressed by outlining clear actionable steps.