Summer 2023 is hottest ever. Global warming is causing record-breaking temperatures, which not only make outdoor activities unbearable but are taking a huge toll on our climate and health. Climate change is associated with more frequent and severe wildfires, extreme weather events, droughts and pollution, all of which impact our food, water, air and overall well-being.
“People are already suffering and dying as a result of climate change, and current estimates certainly significantly underestimate the number of people affected,” said Christy EbyProfessor at the Center for Health and the Global Environment at the University of Washington. “These are preventable deaths.”
How global warming and climate change are harming your health
Global warming and climate change are often used interchangeably, but they are different. Global warming is the result of long-term warming of the earth’s surface caused by human activities, which is only one aspect of climate change. Long-term changes in Earth’s temperature, sea levels, wind and precipitation patterns are called climate change.
Climate change is called “The world’s biggest health threat,” increasing the risk of many potentially life-threatening diseases.
1. heart disease
The extreme heat has connected Leads to an increase in heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular events.
Sweating, dehydration, and loss of salt from your body can make your blood thicker, causing your heart to work harder.According to reports, high temperatures can also trigger inflammation, which can adversely affect your heart Kai Chen,PhD. Assistant Professor at the Yale School of Public Health and Research Director of the Yale Center on Climate Change and Health.
2. infectious disease
Climate change means spring is arriving earlier and autumn is later, changes that increase the risk of infectious diseases 58%.
Chen noted that climate warming is allowing mosquitoes, ticks and other disease-carrying insects to expand their geographic ranges, adding, “Winter temperatures are not strong enough to kill insects, so there is a greater chance of spreading viruses.”
In addition to rising rates of Lyme disease, dengue fever, and other vector-borne diseases, increases in hurricanes, flooding, and other extreme weather events have increased the risk of other pathogens, including hantaviruses, adenoviruses, encephalitis, and COVID-19. Global risks.
3. Dementia
Climate change makes wildfires more frequent Frequent and severe When wildfires burn, the fine aerosol particles that fill the air (and lungs) can affect your cognitive health.
“When you look at the types of air pollution that increase the risk of dementia, wildfires are number one,” said Dr. Dale Bredesenprofessor at UCLA.
Pellets from wildfires and higher risk Some estimates suggest it could lead to as many as 188,000 cases of dementia each year.Research is still needed to determine the exact link, but there are several theoryincluding air pollution that may increase inflammation and lead to the formation of plaque in the brain.
“Anything that reduces blood flow, oxygen and mitochondria and increases inflammation increases the risk of dementia,” Bredesen said.
4. chronic kidney disease
For those who work outdoors, high temperatures and humidity can cause irreversible damage to the kidneys.On extremely hot days, numbers increase Emergency room visit For urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and acute kidney injury.
“Most people don’t understand that heat is a serious health risk,” Ebi said.
Thermal pressure is the main risk factors For the development of chronic kidney disease of nontraditional origin, a fatal disease not related to diabetes, high blood pressure, or other causes of kidney disease. It is more common among workers who perform manual labor in hot environments.
The condition is thought to be the result of dehydration, physical exertion, drinking sugary drinks and other stress on the kidneys and is called “PopularityIn Central America, some data suggest that 15% of people who regularly work in hot conditions are affected, including laborers in the United States.
5. Respiratory diseases
Rising temperatures mean more allergens; droughts increase wildfire risks; and climate change increases the amount of ground-level ozone. Now, 99% of the world’s population breathes air that exceeds World Health Organization pollution limit guidelines.
“Particles of a certain size can embed deep in the lungs, be absorbed by the lung tissue, enter our bodies and cause breathing problems,” Ebi said.
Air pollution has been linked to a variety of respiratory diseases including pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer; it is responsible for 6.4 million people died Every year, air pollution becomes a leading cause of disease and premature death worldwide.
6. Mental Health question
The term “eco-anxiety” has become part of the lexicon 68The percentage of adults who admit to feeling anxious or worried about the effects of climate change, according to a survey by the American Psychological Association (APA).
Climate change does have very real consequences for well-being. Research has found that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common after experiencing extreme weather events such as hurricanes and wildfires. Percentage of survivors of California’s 2018 Camp Fire Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Similar to veterans.
Hospitalizations for mental illness and suicide rates also appear taller during a heat wave. Chen pointed to sleep problems as a potential reason why climate change is affecting mental health.
“When it’s really hot, you might not get a good night’s sleep without air conditioning,” he said. “Sleep disorders can also lead to mental disorders.”
Protect your health
It may not be possible to turn off the planet’s thermostats overnight, but there are some steps you can take Reduce the impact of climate change on your health.
During a heat wave:
- Turn on the electric fan
- Soak your feet in cold water
- Apply ice towel
- drink more cold water
When the air quality index is poor:
Times when ticks are common in your area:
Wear long sleeves and pants, and apply insect repellent to prevent fleas and tick bites, which can spread infectious diseases.
Coping with climate change is essential
Six in 10 adults surveyed by APA have changed their behavior to reduce their impact on climate change.
You can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by walking, biking or driving an electric vehicle, eating less meat and dairy, reducing food waste and shopping local to reduce the carbon emissions from transportation. Chen noted that these individual actions can have a collective impact.
“In the first year of COVID-19, when we had stay-at-home lockdowns… In major cities around the world, we saw a reduction in transportation emissions… When you reduce fossil fuel emissions, the air becomes cleaner, you reduce Air pollution,” he said. “This shows that when people act together to reduce fossil fuel emissions, there are immediate environmental benefits, and these benefits can also translate into direct health benefits.”
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