Climate Change and Health:
Our living environment significantly impacts our health. The changing climate significantly impacts our safety, well-being, and health. The food we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the locations where we find shelter are all affected by climate change.
By changing the frequency or severity of extreme weather events and the development of specific illnesses, climate change can affect the health of the human population on Earth in both direct and indirect ways. We all need to take action right now to increase our resistance to the consequences of climate change and restrict its rapid progress.
Indicators of Climate Change
Increasing greenhouse gasses, which trap heat in the atmosphere and raise air and sea temperatures, cause climate change. They are mostly created by burning fossil fuels to generate energy, as well as by methods used in transportation, mining, agriculture, and land management. The effects of climate change are manifested in different ways, as follows:
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A rise in the number of days with excessive heat
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An extension of hazardous weather for wildfires
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A drop in rainfall in certain regions led to the low streamflow.
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Intense rainfall in some areas results in flash floods.
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An increase in sea levels
Climate Change: A Global Health Threat
The growing effects of the global climate crisis are affecting human health and well-being, which will worsen as time goes on. Access to essential human necessities like clean air, safe drinking water, sanitary conditions, and food security is also quickly declining due to climate disasters.
Millions of individuals are among the most susceptible, which include children, the elderly, members of unprivileged communities, those with pre-existing medical disorders, and those living in poverty. Health systems are also under great stress due to climate change, which creates challenges for healthcare services and makes the system less responsive. The recent changes in climatic patterns are mostly related to human activities, and our current decisions and actions will determine how much the climate crisis will affect present and future generations.
Climate Change: Who Is At Risk?
Individuals may experience several effects on their health due to climate change that can happen simultaneously or in different phases of their lives. The following primary factors determine a person's susceptibility to the effects of climate change:
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Exposure:
Individuals will experience climate change risks depending on the extent of exposure to extreme climatic conditions. For instance, people who spend a lot of time outside can be more vulnerable to intense heat or cold.
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Sensitivity
. Certain individuals are more susceptible to the adverse effects of climate change because of their age and health. For instance, smoke and other air pollutants can cause severe allergic reactions in adults and children who have asthma.
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Adaptive capacity
: The impact of the health risks associated with climate change depends on individuals’ adaptive capacity, which is also influenced by several factors such as a person's age, income, living arrangements, access to healthcare, etc.
Impact of Climate Change on Human Health
The greatest threat to world health in the twenty-first century is climate change. Climate and the environment have a lot of effects on health, and it can be challenging to predict all of them for various reasons. Extreme weather-related conditions are direct health risks associated with climate change.
In addition, the distribution of plants and animals, the availability of food and water, the development of illnesses, and mental health effects are some indirect ways that climate change may impact human health. Here, we will discuss the different impacts of climate change on human health.
Direct Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health
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Increased frequency and intensity of heat waves lead to illness and even deaths from heat stroke, dehydration, and exhaustion.
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Problems of respiratory, cardiovascular, and circulatory disorders due to the adverse effects of climate.
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Health impacts brought on by hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and storms.
Indirect Impacts Due to Nature
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Airway diseases like asthma and other allergic respiratory health problems are caused by exposure to high levels of particulate matter.
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Increased mortality due to cardiopulmonary problems in areas with high levels of toxicity.
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There is an increase in food- and water-borne diseases caused by the growth and transmission of microorganisms and pathogens in extreme climatic situations.
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Unanticipated outbreak of seasonal or regional illnesses, especially vector-borne diseases, due to abnormal shifts in temperature, humidity, and other weather conditions.
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An increased chance of infections with pollutants in sea foods results from rising temperatures and changing ocean environments.
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ndirect Impacts on Human Health Due to Socio-Economic Systems
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Adverse effects on agriculture, transportation, and storage that have an impact on essential food supplies.
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There is a higher risk of undernutrition due to decreased food production and low accessibility, particularly in tropical regions.
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The combined impact of infectious illnesses and malnutrition on marginalized populations.
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Long-term consequences include poor immunity, premature growth and development, and chronic illnesses.
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Power outages caused by extreme weather can cause food spoilage.
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Occupational health hazards for outdoor and unprotected workers due to exposure to extreme conditions.
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People living in poor socio-economic conditions, including children and elders who are not able to manage sufficient protection from changing climates, suffer the most.
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Health issues due to mental stress, anxiety, and depression arise from the sense of loss experienced due to climate change.
Key points on Climate Change and Health
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Every year, there is a record increase in the mean temperature, and more people are suffering from climate-related ailments and disorders.
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There are two primary ways that climate change impacts people's health: either by altering the severity or frequency of pre-existing health issues or
By generating new and unexpected health issues.
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In the coming decades, an additional 250,000 fatalities annually will be attributed to climate change worldwide, based on a few health indicators.
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Investing in green initiatives, including waste management, energy-efficient technology, and solar panel utilization, is imperative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which are the root cause of climate change.
Being close to nature can enhance physical fitness, mental health, and general well-being. The adverse effects of climate change are deteriorating the quality of the natural environment and making it more difficult for populations to live healthy and secure lives.
The world will suffer severe consequences from such a rapidly changing climate, so major global, national, community and personal interventions are required to address the underlying causes of climate change and minimize its negative impacts on health.
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