The Impact of Climate Change and Its Affects on Human Health

Illustration on what climate change can do to the enviprnent by showing trees
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Climate Change Overview

Climate change is one of our planet’s most pressing issues, and its significance cannot be overstated. It is a global problem that affects every aspect of our lives, from the environment to the economy, and if left unchecked, it has the potential to cause devastating consequences.

Global warming directly affects human and animal life by making our environment hotter and more unpredictable. Increasing warmer weather can make us all sick, especially the elderly. It also makes the air dirtier, which can cause breathing problems like asthma.

Climate change disturbs our planet’s natural environment. For example, insects that spread diseases like malaria and Lyme disease are moving to new locations, affecting more people who have never been exposed to these diseases before. Sometimes, too much rain or not enough can interfere with our food and water supply. Bad storms and disasters are occurring more often. To stay healthy, we must stop climate change and care for each other.

This article will explore why global warming is so important and why urgent action is necessary to mitigate its effects.

The Environment

Detail of white smoke  stackes polluting the sky
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First and foremost, climate change, also known as global warming, is a threat to our ecosystem. The Earth’s climate is a complex entity, and any drastic changes can have far-reaching consequences.

The continuous rise in greenhouse emissions, such as pollutants from cars, planes, and industrial complexes, causes temperatures to riseFor example, increasing temperatures and changing rainfall patterns can lead to more frequent natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts, which destroy homes and infrastructure.

The temperature has risen about 1.8 degrees F (1° C) over the last century, but most of this rise has occurred within the last four decades. This slight rise in temperature may not sound significant, but it is and has already caused numerous global issues. 

Natural disasters caused by this can also lead to an economic burden, as governments would be forced to spend billions of dollars on rebuilding damaged infrastructure and homes, as well as added costs to individuals.

Upsetting the Balance of Nature

Life-on-planet-earth-orange-and-white-koi-fish-near-yellow-koi-fish
Orange and white koi-fish near-yellow koi-fish-

Wildlife will not be immune to this changing environment either. As temperatures rise, it is becoming difficult for some animals to adapt. Some species could become endangered or even go extinct, and even now, polar bears are struggling to find food as the Arctic ice melts, and coral reefs are dying due to rising ocean temperatures. 

The potential results can have problematic effects on our crops and agriculture. Crop failures will lead to increased food prices and potential famine in certain parts of the world, and disruptions in supply chains can lead to food and water shortages.

A negative change in the climate will also raise sea levels, which can lead to flooding and erosion of coastlines, further exacerbating the damage caused by natural disasters. 

The Human Effect

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Climate change can significantly impact our health. As temperatures rise, so does the risk of heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and dehydration.

Increased air pollution due to industrialization and deforestation can result in respiratory problems, heart disease, and even cancer. It can also spread illnesses such as malaria and dengue fever, since warmer temperatures create more favorable conditions for disease-carrying insects to propagate and spread to new regions.

Poor air quality resulting from increased pollution can also exacerbate the situation. Respiratory problems such as asthma may become more common, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

These health issues will disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing medical conditions. In populated communities, such as large cities, they can increase exponentially.

The Economy

Photo of an oil drill
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As extreme weather events become more frequent, there is an increasing risk of damage to infrastructure, such as buildings, roads, and bridges. In addition, its impact on food prices will be detrimental worldwide. Building sea walls and other protective infrastructure is likely more common and costly for the everyday consumer.

Is There Light At the End of the Climate Tunnel?

Wind Turbines
Wind Turbines

Transitioning to a low-carbon economy can create economic opportunities, such as developing renewable energy sources and creating green jobs. An economic issue is that the effects of climate change can disrupt agriculture, leading to lower crop yields and higher food prices. This can disproportionately impact low-income countries, where agriculture is a significant part of the economy. 

What You Can Do About It!

Given climate change’s significant impacts on the environment, human health, and the economy, we must take action to address this problem. The good news is that individuals, governments, and businesses can do many things to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Here are some of the more prominent advocacy groups that you can join to help mitigate climate change and reduce its impact on the environment and our health.

    • 350.org: A global grassroots movement focused on ending the use of fossil fuels and promoting renewable energy solutions.
    • Greenpeace: Known for its direct action campaigns, Greenpeace works to combat climate change, protect biodiversity, and advocate for environmental justice.
    • Sierra Club: One of the oldest and largest environmental organizations in the United States, the Sierra Club works on issues including climate change, conservation, and renewable energy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Climate Change and Its Impact on Our Health

 

Illustration of the effects of climate change, showing grass and then barren ground
Photo: iStock

Climate Change – An Overview

The phenomenon of climate change has existed since the beginning of time. However, the way it has evolved since the late 19th century is really
alarming.

On the one hand, the industrial revolution has truly transformed how we live today, but on the other hand, it has affected our climate. The exponential rise in greenhouse emissions was caused by rapid industrialization, which is the main culprit behind climate change, also termed global warming.  

The progression of technology has helped us to better discern the evidence of this environmental effect. We are now able to see a clearer and bigger picture of the consequences of climate change, all thanks to Earth-orbiting satellites and many other similar technological developments. This is posing a real threat to the existence of life on planet earth and it is substantiated by a compelling body of evidence.

Heat map of the earthGlobal Temperature Rise:  The average temperature of the planet has risen about 1 degree Celsius in the last 100 years or so. Scientists have inferred that most of the warming has predominantly occurred in the last four decades. The rise of a single degree Celsius might not sound bad when we consider it as a localized temperature change. But globally, this temperature rise has already instigated many problems.

For instance, the ice covers in Antarctica, Northern Hemisphere, and Greenland are now shrinking at exceptional rates. In the last decade only, the rate of ice mass loss in Antarctica has increased threefold. On the other hand, glacier territories everywhere in the world are quickly receding. Whether it’s the Himalayas, Alps, Alaska or Andes, glaciers are melting at rapid rates.

All this snow melting has exacerbated flooding events. Moreover, the sea level has increased by 8% in the last hundred years due to that. The continuously increasing sea levels are posing a direct danger to many coastal parts of the world. It is estimated that if global warming continues at the same pace, then the entire country (Islands of Maldives) will be completely submerged in the water in the next 30 to 50 years. Climate change has also disturbed the acidity levels of oceans which has put marine life in great jeopardy.  

Climate Change and Our Health

Apart from affecting us indirectly, climate change, if not abated, will soon start to impact us directly by inflicting different health problems. Scientists believe that the fallout of climate change has already started affecting our health in multiple ways. Let’s have a look at the impending health threats posed by climate change.

Cardiovascular Health

Heat waves have already become an element of peak summers in many parts of the world. Moreover, its effect is compounded by increasing environmental pollution. For instance, Ozone is a toxin that protects our ecosphere from harmful UV component of sun rays. This toxin has now permeated into breathing air in the form of smog.

A new research study has substantiated concerns regarding the lethal combination of pollution and high temperatures. The research suggests this rising temperature in the resultant ozone effect might be acting in tandem to worsen cardiovascular health in the US. The study has concluded that the heart rate of US citizens variably drops during those high-temperature summer months.

The decreased heart-rate might not have immediate implications, but it increases the chances of a heart attack. Scientists haven’t found a direct link between rising temperatures and heart-rates; however, the ozone and high temperature likely affect the autonomic nervous system that is responsible for heart-rate regulation.  

Allergies are on the Rise

It has also been noted that allergies are on the rise in every part of the world. Experts believe that rising carbon dioxide levels in the environment combined with warming temperatures are the main reason behind the prevalence of allergies.

The increased instances of allergies are also linked to the detrimental effects of climate change on botanical growths. Multiple studies point out that plants are flowering earlier than normal. Moreover, the total pollen production has increased in the last couple of decades. These distorted patterns have subsequently aggravated human allergy symptoms.

Vector-Borne Disease Spread

Vector Deseases are caused by insects and microorganisams

The propagation of different vector-borne diseases is facilitated by climate change. Increased temperatures and rising rainfall rates have created an ideal landscape for many vector-borne diseases to proliferate all across the globe. It is a scientifically proven fact that many insects responsible for spreading vector-borne diseases nourish better in hotter temperatures and damp environments.

Food Safety 

Food safety is directly threatened by climate change. Warm air temperatures promote the growth of food-related bacteria. This means the instances of food poisoning will only increase over time. Additionally, the high traces of carbon dioxide can have adverse effects on the levels of macro and micronutrients in staple crops of rice, wheat, and potatoes. Lastly, the acute droughts derived by global warming will make the availability of food a big challenge in different parts of the world.

Global warming has increased sea surface temperatures. It is believed that warmer sea surfaces eventually culminate into increased mercury levels in marine life. In other words, if the recent climate change continues, then very soon we will no longer be able to devour on favorite seafood. A fish naturally contaminated with a high mercury level is not edible.  

Climate Change also Affects Mental Health

Rising temperatures also worsen the condition of individuals who are already suffering from mental illness. A study has found that having a pre-existing mental ailment increases the risk of death during heat waves by three times. People on medications with disturbed temperature regulations are more at risk of fatal results of heat waves.

It is blatantly clear that climate change is affecting our existence on this planet from many aspects. It is high time that we change our lifestyles in individual and collective capacities to minimize greenhouse emissions. Increasing our dependence on renewable energy and recycled material can bear fruits through the means of reducing the effects of destructive human activity on the climate.