How Does Climate Change Affect Human Health

Human health is impacted by climate change in many different ways. Extreme weather and environmental changes may worsen pre-existing health issues and lead to the development of new ones. Rising temperatures and harsh weather conditions have been shown to have a major effect on human health all around the world in recent years.

Long-term changes in temperature and weather patterns are referred to as climate change. Significant volcanic eruptions or shifts in the sun's activity may be the cause of such fluctuations.

Climate change is brought on by an increase in greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide) in the atmosphere, which raises the planet's average temperature.

Air and water temperatures increase as a result of greenhouse gases' capacity to absorb heat. They are largely produced through land management, mining, agriculture, transportation, and the burning of fossil fuels (like coal) for the production of power.

Fossil fuels, which include coal, oil, and gas, are by far the biggest cause of climate change, contributing more than 75% of all greenhouse gas emissions and almost 90% of all carbon dioxide emissions.

Below are the main causes of climate change:

Generating power

An important portion of world emissions is produced when fossil fuels are burned to produce electricity and heat. Burning coal, oil, or gas produces carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, two potent greenhouse gases that cover the Earth. This method of producing energy is still used for the majority of electricity production.

Manufacturing goods

Emissions from manufacturing and industry are mostly caused by the burning of fossil fuels, which are used to create energy for the production of goods like cement, iron, steel, electronics, plastics, clothing, and other items. Gases are also released during mining and other industrial activities, as well as during construction.

Cutting down forests

Cutting down forests to make way for farms, pastures, or other purposes increases emissions because when trees are cut down, the carbon they have been storing is released. Every year, a total of 12 million hectares of forest are lost.

Using transportation

Typically, fossil fuels are used to power vehicles like cars, trucks, ships, and airplanes. As a result, emissions of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, are greatly influenced by the transportation sector.

Producing food

Food production emits carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases in a number of different ways.

Powering buildings

Commercial and residential buildings use more than half of the electricity used worldwide. Due to their continued reliance on coal, oil, and natural gas for heating and cooling, they continue to generate a considerable quantity of greenhouse gas emissions.

Consuming too much

Your house, how you walk around, how much you throw away, what you consume, and how much electricity you use all go toward causing greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate hazards

Droughts, floods, and heat waves are among the many examples of extreme climate and weather conditions that are getting worse and more frequent around the world. In a significant way, these changes are bad for human health.

Climate change is already to blame for around a third of heat-related deaths, and it has caused more than 2 million deaths in the past 50 years through a five-fold rise in the frequency of extreme weather events.

Weather and heat-related issues

A wide variety of serious health issues can be brought on by or made worse by rising temperatures. Long-term exposure to extreme temperatures can result in:

• heatstroke
• heat exhaustion
• muscle cramps
• worsening of already-existing illnesses, such as heart and respiratory problems
• death

Increased exposure to harsh weather poses a significant threat to health. Droughts, hot, dry weather, and other factors can cause:

• dust storms
• wildfires
• a decline in the quantity and quality of water
• reduced quality of air
• lack of food

Air pollution

A significant risk to human health can result from an increase in air pollution. Higher concentrations of dust, ozone, and fine particles can all lower air quality and worsen a variety of health problems, such as:

• asthma
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• lung inflammatory disease
• lung cancer risk
• airway congestion
• chest pain
• heart attacks

Water and food

The impacts of climate change on food systems and water supplies are already being seen in many places of the world.

Increased evaporation, altered rainfall patterns, and a growing amount of snow falling as rain are all effects of warming temperatures that put water security at risk. With the productivity of staple crops like maize, rice, wheat, and soybean continuing to decline due to rising temperatures, this can also create challenging conditions for many forms of agriculture and livestock production.

Increased rates of undernutrition are associated with decreased diet diversity and abrupt losses in food production and access in many areas. Additionally, warmer climes offer the perfect conditions for the growth of water- and food-borne illnesses.

The amount of water available for agriculture in regions that depend on glaciers and snowmelt may fall by 20% after 2050 if temperatures rise by more than 2°C. 800 million people rely on glaciers for freshwater in Asia alone.

Mental health

People with mental health issues may be more significantly affected by extreme heat. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) assert that rising temperatures are associated with an increase in suicide rates.

According to the CDC, depression and other mental health issues are negatively impacted by climate change and rising temperatures.

Infectious diseases

Infections spread by insects and diseases spread through water are predicted to rise as a result of climate change.

This is because climate change can lengthen the seasons during which insects spread diseases.

Infectious infections that produce diarrhea and watery illnesses may become more common as a result of changes in rainfall patterns.

Allergens

Warmer temperatures may cause an increase in pollen production. When carbon dioxide levels increase, there can be more plant allergens present.

People might consequently experience the following effects:

• higher sensitivity to allergens
• asthma, including longer or more frequent episodes of acute asthma
• worsening of other respiratory diseases
• A combination of warmer temperatures and more rain can increase indoor moisture and fungi, including mold. Breathing issues might also be brought on by these conditions.

Neurological and developmental problems

Neurological health may suffer as a result of environmental toxin exposure and stress-related impacts of climate change.

Scientists believe that environmental variables contribute to the development of both Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

The health risks of climate change are more likely to affect particular groups of people. They consist of:

• children, particularly those living in developing countries
• older adults
• people with certain preexisting health conditions
• those who are economically disadvantaged
• who are socially isolated

Environment and human health are directly related to one another. However, there are significant effects on our safety, well-being, and health as a result of the changing environment.

Human activity has been mostly responsible for the recent changes in our climate. For our state, the nation, and the rest of the planet, the changing climate will have far-reaching and devastating effects if nothing is done. This pressing issue has effects on a variety of levels, including international, national, local, and individual.