Climate Change Worsening Human Health
In a world with constantly evolving global and local situations that impact us all, one event of massive significance for human health and well-being is Climate Change. This global phenomenon has been building up, while governments and organizations across the world have been busy in the race for economic dominance and industrial superiority, with scant regard for the environment. But the environment is hitting back.
The rise in global temperatures, sea levels, and changes in rainfall patterns are disrupting centuries-old ecosystems and exposing humans to new health risks while making the existing ones worse. Air pollution, the by-product of burning fossil fuels and deforestation, is one of the primary contributors to climate change. Research has shown that over 90 per cent of the world’s population is breathing polluted air.
In India, air pollution during the winter months in some northern states is common. What is not common is the deterioration of air quality in cities that are in no way geographically contiguous. This winter, Mumbai witnessed its worst air quality ever with the Air Quality Index (AQI) surpassing New Delhi, leading to a massive spike in respiratory illnesses like asthma in children and high blood pressure among the elderly.
Suspended particulate matter, especially PM2.5 has the ability to impact all the major organ systems of the body – and India’s PM2.5 cut-offs are 8 times higher than recommended by the WHO. In 2019 when the National Clean Air Programme was launched, 102 cities were part of it. Now there are 131 – indicating a worsening of pollution in more cities (despite the prolonged pandemic lockdowns that reduced industrial activity and people movement).
According to the data from NOAA Climate.gov, the earth’s temperature that was rising at an average rate of 0.08 degrees Celsius every 10 years, has shot up exponentially to 0.18 degrees Celsius since 1981. As a consequence, like several countries, last year, India witnessed a prolonged heatwave, the hottest in 122 years.
According to a report by Lancet, India’s vulnerability to extreme heat has increased by 15 per cent from 1990 to 2019 and heat-related diseases are on the rise. Last year, deaths linked to heat increased by 68 per cent in those over 65 years of age. The 2022 heat wave also reduced rainfall in the subcontinent to almost a third of the normal expected setting the tone for further challenges to come.
Droughts, floods, hurricanes, tropical storms and landslides are extreme weather events that are becoming more common and intense due to climate change. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) reported that India witnessed 314 days of extreme weather events in 2022 across 34 states and UTs. Over 3026 human lives were lost. This devastation is likely to continue and have major impacts on human health, potentially increasing waterborne and vector-borne diseases, like cholera, malaria and dengue.
Perhaps the least visible but most damaging impact is being felt in the oceans, where rising temperatures are melting icecaps and acidification as a result of increasing pollution is threatening the health of marine ecosystems and coastal communities that depend on them for food and livelihoods.
Health systems across the world are reporting an increased level of utilization. Regions, where tropical diseases were unheard of, are now regularly reporting their occurrence. Microorganisms have learned to evolve and survive in hitherto hostile environments. Non-communicable diseases like metabolic disorders, cardiac conditions, respiratory illnesses and cancers are growing all across the world as a result of changing environments and lifestyles.
What is becoming obvious is the massive psychological impact of climate change. Climate anxiety is real. People are struggling to adapt to the rapidly changing world around them, and the displacement of communities, illnesses, loss of homes and loved ones, and economic disruption associated with extreme weather events can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression. In some cases, the impacts of climate change are exacerbating existing mental health problems, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Climate change is an immediate crisis that directly threatens human health and wellbeing as much as it affects the environment we live in. Unfortunately, even though this is a global problem, the health impacts are not evenly distributed.
They are disproportionately severe for vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing medical conditions. Companies and organizations have a crucial role to play. They must work to reduce their carbon footprint, promote sustainable practices, and invest in renewable energy.
International SOS’ ESG experts are advising several of them to help them draft policies, protocols, increase awareness and preparedness for a quick and efficient response to climate events and to maintain sustainable business operations.
Time is running out. Immediate action is needed by each and every citizen, working together with communities, organizations, authorities and governments around the world. We can save the earth and create a healthier world for ourselves and the generations to come. We just need to do it NOW.
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