Do You Know That Living Organisms, Including Human Beings, Require A Livable Climate For Optimal Health?

The living environment is defined as a collection of both the built and natural surroundings that is provided to the inhabitants of the location who engage in various types of cultural, social, economic, religious, and political endeavors that cause differences in the essence of the living environment. As a result, the “living environment” is formed by integrating the influence of different activities and is continually changing due to the ongoing evolution of these interconnected activities throughout time and place (Tiwari et al., 2015). Thus, a livable climate or livable environment is vital to good health in a variety of ways:

Air Quality – A stable climate promotes healthy air quality. Climate change can alter air circulation patterns, resulting in increased air pollution, which can worsen respiratory illnesses such as asthma and raise the risk of cardiovascular disease (Corte et al., 2024).

Temperature Regulation – A stable environment helps to manage temperatures, limiting excessive heat waves and cold spells. Extreme temperatures can have a direct negative impact on health, including heatstroke, hypothermia, and exacerbating pre-existing diseases. Climate affects the distribution and behavior of disease-carrying vectors such as mosquitos and ticks (Corte et al., 2024).

Warmer temperatures can broaden the range of these vectors, hastening the development of diseases like malaria, dengue fever, Lyme disease, and Zika virus.

Water Quality and Availability – The climate influences the quantity and quality of water sources. Changes in precipitation patterns can cause droughts or floods, limiting availability to safe drinking water and raising the risk of waterborne infections.

Nutrition – Climate has an impact on agriculture, affecting both food production and nutrition. Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns can affect crop yields, resulting in food scarcity and malnutrition, which can have long-term consequences for health and development.

Extreme weather and climate-related calamities can result in psychological anguish and trauma. Furthermore, the loss of homes, livelihoods, and community stability due to climate change can exacerbate anxiety, despair, and other mental health problems.

Climate affects the transmission dynamics of infectious illnesses. Temperature, humidity, and precipitation changes can modify pathogen habitat and behavior, influencing the transmission of diseases like influenza, cholera, and COVID-19.

Climate change affects biodiversity by altering ecosystems and reducing the availability of important resources like medicinal plants and clean water. Loss of biodiversity can raise the risk of disease transmission and impair ecosystem resilience, jeopardizing human health (Corte et al., 2024). All in all, a habitable climate is critical for human health and well-being. Efforts to reduce climate change and adapt to its effects are critical for protecting public health both today and in the future.

Increasing Concerns About Climate Change

Unfortunately, climate change has become a critical worldwide issue, attracting significant attention from scientists, policymakers, and the general public due to its far-reaching consequences for ecosystems, economics, and human cultures (Narawad, 2023).

For example, global temperatures on Earth’s average surface have continually increased. It is mostly caused by human activities such as fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and industrial processes. This increase in temperature has a variety of implications, including more frequent and stronger heatwaves, changing precipitation patterns, and melting polar ice caps and glaciers.

Climate change is also thought to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events including storms, droughts, floods, and wildfires. These catastrophes can have a substantial impact on infrastructure, agriculture, and human life, increasing economic and social issues.

The warming of the earth produces thermal expansion of seawater as well as the melting of ice caps and glaciers, which all contribute to increasing sea levels. This phenomena endangers coastal communities, habitats, and infrastructure, resulting in erosion, flooding, and saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources.  

Climate change also disturbs ecosystems and endangers biodiversity by affecting habitats, migration patterns, and the availability of food and water. Adapting to rapid variations in temperature and precipitation presents challenges for many species, resulting in shifts in species ranges and significant extinction concerns.

Temperature and precipitation patterns change, affecting agricultural production, resulting in lower crop yields, less water available for irrigation, and increased pest and disease outbreaks. These effects imperil global food security, especially in vulnerable areas with limited resources and adaptive capacity.

Climate change also exacerbates health risks by exacerbating heat-related illnesses, spreading vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, and worsening respiratory difficulties caused by air pollution and allergens. Vulnerable groups, such as children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing medical issues, are disproportionately affected.

It has exacerbated social and economic inequality, disproportionately affecting underprivileged groups with inadequate access to resources, infrastructure, and healthcare. This escalation of inequality can result in social instability, migration, and conflicts over finite resources.

Last but not least, industries that rely on natural resources, such as agriculture, fisheries, and tourism, will confront enormous hurdles as a result of climate change. Disruptions to livelihoods can cause economic instability, hardship, and social upheaval in impacted areas. To address these problems, global, national, and local governments must work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to changing climate conditions, and strengthen vulnerable populations. The Paris Agreement, for example, seeks to limit global warming and develop international collaboration in order to successfully combat climate change.  

Climate Change Effects On Public Health

Here are some important ways in which climate change affects public health (UNEP, 2021):

1. Extreme Weather Events: Climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather events including storms, floods, and heatwaves. These incidents can cause injuries, deaths, displacement, and mental health difficulties in the impacted populations.
2. Air Pollution: Climate change worsens air pollution by increasing the frequency of wildfires and altering airflow patterns. Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are among the respiratory disorders exacerbated by poor air quality.
3. Vector-Borne Diseases: Temperature and precipitation changes affect the distribution and activity of vectors like mosquitos and ticks, increasing the transmission of diseases including malaria, dengue fever, and Lyme disease.
4. Waterborne infections: Climate change impacts water quality and availability, increasing the risk of cholera and diarrheal infections caused by contaminated water sources and flooding.
5. Food Security: Climate change has an impact on agricultural productivity, which affects food availability and nutritional value. Changes in food production patterns can cause hunger, especially among vulnerable people.

As mentioned above, climate change can have various impacts on human health, including the spread of diseases or the exacerbation of existing health issues. Here are some examples of diseases that are influenced by climate change:

1. Vector-borne Diseases (e.g., Malaria, Dengue Fever, Zika Virus)
2. Waterborne Diseases (e.g., Cholera, Diarrheal Diseases)
3. Respiratory Diseases (e.g., Asthma, Allergies)
4. Heat-related Illnesses (e.g., Heatstroke, Heat Exhaustion)

Climate Change Mitigation Strategies

Mitigating climate change necessitates a multifaceted approach that includes initiatives from energy, transportation, industry, agriculture, and forestry. Higher authorities throughout the world have devised plans to handle this growing issue, which can help greatly to mitigate climate change and transition to a more sustainable future. For example:

1. Countries are increasing the use of renewable energy sources including solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal power to lessen their dependence on fossil fuels.  

Read IPCC Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation at https://www.ipcc.ch/report/renewable-energy-sources-and-climate-change-mitigation/

2. Using energy-efficient technology and practices in buildings, industries, and transportation to minimize energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) commits to become net zero by 2024. Read more about Energy Efficiency 2023 which is the latest IEA’s primary annual analysis on global developments in energy efficiency markets and policy at  https://www.iea.org/reports/energy-efficiency-2023

3. Carbon pricing schemes, such as carbon taxes or cap-and-trade systems, are being implemented to internalize the social cost of carbon emissions and encourage emission reductions.

Revenues from carbon taxes and Emissions Trading Systems (ETS) have reached a record high, about $95 billion, finds the World Bank’s annual “State and Trends of Carbon Pricing” report. Read “State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2023” at https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/58f2a409-9bb7-4ee6-899d-be47835c838f

4. Expanding forest cover through afforestation (the planting of trees in previously unforested regions) and reforestation.

“An IPCC Special Report on climate change, desertification, land degradation, sustainable land management, food security, and greenhouse gas fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems” is available at https://www.ipcc.ch/srccl/

5. To reduce emissions from land use change and agricultural operations, consider implementing sustainable agriculture practices such as agroforestry, conservation tillage, and enhanced livestock management.

Refer to FAO – Climate-Smart Agriculture Sourcebook at https://www.fao.org/climate-smart-agriculture-sourcebook/en/

6. To reduce transportation-related emissions, promote the usage of electric cars (EVs) and improve public transit infrastructure.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) – Global EV Outlook 2023 is available at  https://www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2023

7. Carbon dioxide emissions from industrial activities and power stations are captured and stored underground to prevent discharge into the atmosphere.

The Global Status of CCS 2023 is available at https://www.globalccsinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Global-Status-of-CCS-Report-1.pdf

8. Encouraging sustainable consumption habits such as eating less meat, eliminating food waste, and purchasing products with reduced carbon footprints.

Read UN Environment Programme (UNEP) – Sustainable Consumption and Production at  https://www.unep.org/explore-topics/sustainable-consumption-and-production

What Role Do Public Health Professionals Play In Climate Change Mitigation?

Climate change has a considerable impact on human health and well-being, hence public health is critical in climate change mitigation measures.

1. Identifying Health Risks – Public health specialists investigate the potential health consequences of climate change, including heatwaves, extreme weather events, air pollution, vector-borne diseases, waterborne diseases, and food insecurity. Understanding these hazards enables them to devise mitigation techniques that protect public health (Fox et al., 2019).
2. Raising Awareness and Education – Public health agencies and organizations inform the general public, policymakers, and healthcare professionals about the health hazards connected with climate change. This involves raising awareness about the impact of climate change on health, advocating for preventive measures, and supporting sustainable practices (Wynes, 2022).
3. Building Resilience – Public health interventions are aimed at increasing community resilience to the health effects of climate change. This includes creating emergency response plans for extreme weather events, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, and improving surveillance systems in order to detect and respond to climate-related health hazards quickly.
4. Promoting Sustainable Practices – Public health programs support policies and practices that minimize greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainability. This could include encouraging active transportation (like walking and cycling), campaigning for renewable energy sources, supporting sustainable agriculture methods, and minimizing waste output.
5. Addressing Environmental Justice – Public health experts are working to address environmental justice concerns related to climate change. They fight for policies and actions that prioritize vulnerable populations, such as low-income communities and communities of color, who are frequently disproportionately affected by climate-related health concerns.
6. Research and Monitoring – Public health research is critical for understanding the intricate linkages between climate change and human health. This research contributes to the identification of new health concerns, the evaluation of mitigation methods, and the development of evidence-based policies and interventions.
7. International Collaboration – Public health agencies work together to address global health issues related to climate change. This includes exchanging data, best practices, and resources, as well as taking part in international accords and activities to combat climate change and preserve public health (Fox et al., 2019).

Final Message

As we face the difficulties posed by climate change, the job of public health experts becomes more important than ever. Climate change has an impact on many facets of public health, including air and water quality, infectious disease transmission, and the frequency of natural disasters. Public health professionals’ skill, devotion, and proactive actions are critical in reducing these effects and establishing resilient communities. Working together and exploiting such skills allows us to create healthier, more resilient communities for future generations.

References

Corte, C., Racloz, V., Green, A. and World Economic Forum (2024). Which areas of human health are impacted by climate change. [online] World Economic Forum. Available at: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/01/davos24-health-areas-impacted-climate-change-guidance/.

Fox, M., Zuidema, C., Bauman, B., Burke, T. and Sheehan, M. (2019). Integrating Public Health into Climate Change Policy and Planning: State of Practice Update. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(18), p.3232. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16183232.

Narawad, A. (2023). Global surveys show people’s growing concern about climate change. [online] Clean Energy Wire. Available at: https://www.cleanenergywire.org/factsheets/global-surveys-show-peoples-growing-concern-about-climate-change.

Tiwari, P., Nair, R., Ankinapalli, P., Rao, J., Hingorani, P. and Gulati, M. (2015). Living Environment. India’s Reluctant Urbanization, pp.153–173. doi:https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137339751_5.

UNEP (2021). Six reasons why a healthy environment should be a human right. [online] United Nations Environment Programme. Available at: https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/six-reasons-why-healthy-environment-should-be-human-right.

Wynes, S. (2022). Guidance for health professionals seeking climate action. The Journal of Climate Change and Health, 7, p.100171. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joclim.2022.100171.