WHO response to climate change and the impacts on health The diverse, widespread, long-term and inequitable distribution of health risks makes climate change a truly global challenge, calling for an unprecedented degree of partnership. An effective response will require actions from across society: from individuals, the health sector, and community and political leaders. A fair and effective response will require a sharing of responsibilities between the populations that make the greatest contribution to climate change and those that are most vulnerable to its effects, in order to safeguard and enhance global public health security