Preserving Our Planet, Preserving Our Health

In a world gripped by ever-accelerating change, where buzzwords like ‘sustainability’ and ‘well-being’ dominate conversations, there is a quiet force that permeates every aspect of our lives: the intricate dance between climate and health.

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Rewinding to the World's First Case of a Killer Plant Fungus Spreading to Humans

In a recent case, a rare plant fungus infected a human, and the probable cause for such a transmission was predicted to be global warming, and this sparked a rising concern for how many diseases could the rising temperature and global warming unravel.

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Impact of Climate Change on Human Health

The impact of climate change on human health varies across regions of the world. By considering factors such as unsafe drinking water, poor sanitation, and exposure to hazardous substances, we can assess which countries provide favorable living conditions and which regions are most at risk due to climate change (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Climate change and health

Go to source).

The Nordic countries, including Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Denmark, are leaders in offering the healthiest environments for humans.

Iceland, in particular, ranks first in our study, benefitting from clean air and minimal temperature increases.

Sweden and Finland also score high, with clean air quality, low exposure to pollutants, and safe drinking water and sanitation.

The United Kingdom and Ireland share the fourth spot, performing well in terms of clean water and sanitation.

On the other hand, Iran faces the greatest health risks due to climate change, scoring low in various categories such as exposure to pollutants and dangerous particles.

Among the top ten most impacted countries, six are in Asia, while Japan experiences fewer impacts.

It's important to note that climate change affects various aspects of health, including clean air, safe drinking water, food security, and shelter.

It is estimated that between 2030 and 2050, climate change will cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress.

The costs associated with the direct damage to health are projected to be between USD 2-4 billion per year by 2030.

Climate change poses the single biggest health threat to humanity, and it is imperative to limit temperature rise to mitigate its harmful impacts.

The most vulnerable populations, such as those in low-income and disadvantaged countries and communities, are the most affected.

Climate change threatens to reverse progress in development, global health, and poverty reduction, exacerbating existing health inequalities.

The health risks associated with climate change are diverse, including extreme weather events, disruptions in food systems, increased disease transmission, and mental health issues. These risks disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including women, children, ethnic minorities, and those with underlying health conditions.

While it is challenging to accurately estimate the scale and impact of climate-sensitive health risks, scientific advancements allow us to attribute certain morbidity and mortality to human-induced warming.

In the short- to medium-term, the vulnerability and resilience of populations, as well as the pace of climate change, will determine the health impacts.

To address these challenges, it is crucial for individuals, governments, and the private sector to take urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change on human health.

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Five Diseases that Could be Activated by the Rising Temperature of the World

1. The rapid spread of diseases carried by mosquitos, ticks, and fleas, known as vector-borne diseases, could be facilitated by the increasing temperatures caused by global wildfires in 2022 (2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
   Climate change and mosquito-borne disease
   
   Go to source).
2. Climate change is responsible for a significant portion of heat-related deaths during warm seasons, as indicated by a study published in Nature Climate Change in 2021 (3^✔ ✔Trusted Source
   The burden of heat-related mortality attributable to recent human-induced climate change
   
   Go to source).
3. The frequency of storms and flooding resulting from climate change poses a risk to clean drinking water, potentially leading to the spread of bacterial diseases like cholera, which can cause severe diarrhea and dehydration (4^✔ ✔Trusted Source
   Untangling the Impacts of Climate Change on Waterborne Diseases: a Systematic Review of Relationships between Diarrheal Diseases and Temperature, Rainfall, Flooding, and Drought
   
   Go to source).
4. Climate change is projected to worsen air quality, with increased allergens and pollutants, thereby contributing to the exacerbation of conditions such as asthma, allergies, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (5^✔ ✔Trusted Source
   The effects of climate change on respiratory allergy and asthma induced by pollen and mold allergens
   
   Go to source).
5. Exposure to natural disasters like wildfires, hurricanes, and flooding can be traumatic, and the mere contemplation of the planet's future due to climate change can induce anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders (6^✔ ✔Trusted Source
   Disaster and its impact on mental health: A narrative review
   
   Go to source).

Make a Difference: Save the Planet and Yourself

Individuals have the power to drive change and take action to address climate change. Some suggested actions include driving and flying less, consuming fewer items, and adopting sustainable eating habits. These small steps can have a significant impact if everyone participates.

Additionally, preparing for emergencies can help ease anxiety about the future. This involves gathering important documents, storing supplies for sheltering in place and creating emergency plans with designated meeting places.

How did Pfizer Mitigate its Impact on Global Warming

Pfizer is highlighted as an example of a company committed to mitigating its impact on climate change, with voluntary emissions reductions and a renewed commitment to achieving the Net-Zero Standard by 2040.

Let us Save Ourselves Before it is Too Late

Behind the scenes of our bustling cities and serene landscapes, an invisible thread connects the rising temperatures, erratic weather patterns, and the well-being of humanity. If we don't act fast in conserving the earth and save it from the rising temperature then we might open the pandora's box for an array of diseases that one hasn’t even heard of.

References:

1. Climate change and health - (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-and-health)
2. Climate change and mosquito-borne disease - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11250812/)
3. The burden of heat-related mortality attributable to recent human-induced climate change - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34221128/)
4. Untangling the Impacts of Climate Change on Waterborne Diseases: a Systematic Review of Relationships between Diarrheal Diseases and Temperature, Rainfall, Flooding, and Drought - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27058059/)
5. The effects of climate change on respiratory allergy and asthma induced by pollen and mold allergens - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32589303/)
6. Disaster and its impact on mental health: A narrative review - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31742125/)

Source-Medindia