By Lee Jackson
There is no doubt that the climate crisis is transforming the world around us. Sea levels are rising, ice caps are melting, and wildfires are raging. But research also reveals the impact it is having on our individual health.
When delivering our workshops on carbon accounting at Northumbria University, we spend the first morning of our two-day course looking at the impact of climate change on organisations – both current and future. In preparing for the course, we constantly refresh materials referencing extreme weather events to ensure they are up to date with the latest catastrophes.
Once, this was something we could do every quarter. But as news headlines in recent weeks have demonstrated, an almost daily news feed is now necessary. In the past week alone, our attention has moved from South Korea, to Portugal, and then to the catastrophic scenes in Maui.
The impact of climate disasters
In all cases of climate disaster, we have to recognise the loss of human life in the immediate aftermath of the event itself. Even though emergency responses across the world continue to deliver modern day miracles, the sad reality is that fatalities and life-altering injuries are becoming increasingly commonplace.
The instances of climate change that make the headlines with increasing regularity are short term emergency events. These events in themselves present enormous health challenges. Extreme heat events, for example, can cause heat-related illnesses and deaths, while natural disasters displace populations and disrupt healthcare systems that struggle to cope with new dynamics on top of the existing healthcare challenges.
Climate change comes with long term health concerns
However, research has shown that the real impact of climate change is longer term, and it will have an even greater impact on our health, our safety, and well-being than singular disastrous events.
The longer term impacts and challenges for healthcare systems around the world are of the greatest significance to us. Actual emissions from healthcare institutions are estimated to be 5% of the global total, and yet, as we seek to mitigate impact in terms of emissions, we also must consider the growing impact of climate change on our health.
How does climate change impact our health?
Spread of infectious diseases
Changing climate patterns are locked in for decades to come. Even if we step up the level of global response and follow the lowest emissions pathway advised in the IPCC synthesis report, these changes are going to increase in their severity.
The change in climate patterns alter the distribution and transmission of infectious diseases. Vector-borne diseases like malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus are extending their reach to new areas, as warmer temperatures allow disease-carrying mosquitoes to thrive in regions previously inhospitable to them. Additionally, shifts in weather patterns can affect water availability and quality, promoting the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera and dysentery.
Food insecurity and malnutrition
One of the least referenced and biggest areas of climate impact is that of our ability to provide nutrition. Climate change disrupts agricultural productivity and reduces crop yields, leading to food scarcity and price fluctuations.
The consequences of this extend beyond hunger, as malnutrition becomes a pressing concern for vulnerable populations, particularly in developing countries. Malnutrition can lead to stunted growth, cognitive impairments, and weakened immune systems, making individuals more susceptible to diseases. Even in the developed world where sections of society struggle to maintain a healthy diet, this will become a more acute problem if or when we face harvest failures.
Air pollution: a silent killer amplified
Successfully challenging poor air quality is already proving contentious. As we look to reduce emissions in cities by moving away from private vehicle usage – through petrol and diesel cars – the policies needed to support this are already under fire. At the same time, those involved in healthcare are clearly focussed on this vital area of impact.
This is because climate change intensifies air pollution, which is already a significant health hazard worldwide. As global temperatures rise, so do levels of ground-level ozone and particulate matter. These pollutants are linked to respiratory conditions, cardiovascular diseases, and premature deaths, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly.
Mental health and climate anxiety
The health impacts of climate change aren’t all physical. The constant barrage of alarming climate news, coupled with the reality of witnessing environmental catastrophes, has given rise to a phenomenon known as “climate anxiety” or “eco-anxiety.”
This mental health issue is characterized by feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and overwhelming fear about the future of the planet. Beyond the classroom, communities that are directly affected by climate-induced disasters often experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, further highlighting the emotional toll of climate change on health. It remains to be seen how soon, and how often, those impacts from actual events become a feature of life in the developed world.
Final thoughts
It is clearly not an understatement to say that the rise in sea levels is the least of our problems. No doubt such monumental global changes will have an enormous impact in decades to come, but the impacts of climate change on our health are visible right now, even more so in other parts of the world. Our changing climate will no doubt impact us all, and impact the health of generations to come. Action is needed not just to protect our planet, but to protect ourselves, both now and in the future.
Looking to get started with carbon emissions reporting or simply want to improve your current reporting? Get in touch with the SmartCarbon team today.