Increasing temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, increased frequency or severity of extreme weather events, and rising sea levels are all effects of climate change. These effects impact the food we consume, the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the weather we encounter, endangering our health.
The extent of these health risks will be influenced by a person’s behavior, age, gender, and economic status, as well as how well public health and safety systems can handle or anticipate these evolving dangers. The effects will differ depending on a person’s location, their sensitivity to health risks, how much they are exposed to the effects of climate change, and how well they and their community can adapt to change.
Health Risk of Climate Change
The World Health Organization has dubbed climate change as the greatest threat to health in the twenty-first century. It has a variety of effects on health and welfare, including:
- Indirectly, through poor air quality, changes in the spread of infectious illnesses, dangers to food and water, and effects on mental health.
- Directly, through the increased severity and frequency of extreme weather events (such as heatwaves, floods, and bushfires); and
- Increased unemployment, financial strain, food insecurity, and growing social inequities are just a few of the economic effects of climate change.
What Makes Climatically Sensitive Health Hazards More Likely?
Many of these health issues are not brand-new; rather, they are already-existing difficulties and disparities that climate change has made worse. Additionally, hazards will rise with every minor increase in global warming. The least able to adjust to individuals and locations are the most at risk. Particularly in low- and middle-income nations where resources are few to reduce or adapt to the risks and access to healthcare is already constrained.
Cities will also be particularly at risk since numerous dangers, including excessive heat, air pollution, and urban flooding, frequently occur simultaneously and amplify the damage. The majority of the economically and socially marginalized population, who make up around half of the global population, would be most affected by these health effects.
Who is most at risk from the consequences of climate change on their health?
Some people are more susceptible to the consequences of health and climate change.
- Children are at risk for a variety of reasons. Children, for instance, are more prone to heat exhaustion, dehydration, and exposure to air pollution and smoke from wildfires. They are more susceptible to illnesses because their immune systems have not fully matured. They frequently have to rely on people to protect them in times of danger and assist them in recovering afterward.
- Due to the physiological demands of pregnancy, pregnant women are more susceptible to heat stress during heatwaves. They are extremely sensitive to exposure to air pollution and smoke from bushfires, as are their unborn children.
- Dehydration, heat stress, infections, and the escalation of heart and lung disease are more common in older adults and people with pre-existing medical disorders.
Choose A Specialist to Become Sustainable & Eco-Friendly
The impact of climate change is no more a thing in the future. It is catching up faster with every passing year. Therefore, a significant step must be taken by companies and enterprises to move towards becoming eco-friendly. There are several consultant services available that can help you achieve your goal.
There are several companies that you will be able to find online. However, make sure you associate with one that has the best reputation and results. Explain your requirements to them in detail and gradually you can become a sustainable and environmentally friendly company.
