Warming temperatures, fluctuations in precipitation, an increase in the frequency or severity of some severe weather events, and rising sea levels are all effects of climate change. These effects jeopardise our health by influencing the food we consume, the water we consume, the air we breathe, and the weather we encounter.
The intensity of these health hazards will be determined by public health and safety systems’ capacity to control or prepare for emerging risks, as well as individual behaviour, age, gender, and economic position. In which a person lives, how vulnerable they are to health concerns, and how much they are subjected to climate change consequences will all have an influence.and their ability to adapt to change, both individually and as a group.
Although people in impoverished countries are perhaps the most exposed to health concerns internationally, climate change causes serious health problems even in developed countries like India. Children, pregnant women, elderly individuals, and persons with poor means, for example, are at higher risk.
Climate change poses a serious hazard to people’s health
Climate crises can have two main effects on human health: first, it can change the intensity or regularity of health problems that are already affected by climate or weather factors, and second, it can create unparalleled or unexpected health problems or risks in places or times of the year where they have never occurred before.
Every human is at risk from the health effects of climate change, but some groups will be disproportionately affected. Poor people, people of colour, persons with weak English skills and immigrants, indigenous peoples, children and pregnant women, elderly adults, vulnerable occupational groups, people with impairments, and people with medical issues are among these categories.
Impacts of Air Quality on humans
- Having a significant effect on the air we breathe both indoors and outside. Warmer weather and fluctuating weather patterns may wreak havoc on air quality, triggering asthma attacks and other respiratory and cardiovascular issues.
- Wildfires produce smoke and other harmful air pollutants, which are anticipated to grow in quantity and intensity as the climate changes.
- Airborne allergies like ragweed pollen are affected by rising carbon dioxide levels and higher temperatures.
- Climate crisis may make it much more difficult for nations to reach these goals in the future, putting more people at risk.
Urban heat island effect on human health
Consumption of energy has increased
The demand for air conditioning to cool buildings rises as a result of heat islands. According to a review of case reports spanning numerous nations, the growth of air conditioning increased by around 1–9% for every 2°F increase in temperature. The biggest rise in power usage was seen in countries where most buildings had air conditioning, such as the United States. [1] As a result of the increased demand, power rates have risen.
Heat islands raise total power consumption as well as peak power demand. Peak demand usually comes on hot summer workday afternoons, when air conditioners, lights, and appliances are turned on in businesses and houses. The increased demand for air conditioning during high heat events, which are compounded by heat islands, can overwhelm systems, necessitating a utility to implement controlled, rolling cooling.
Water Quality Issues
Stormwater runoff may be heated by sidewalks and streets and rooftop surfaces, that drains into sewer pipes and boosts water temperatures as it flows into streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. Climate has an impact on many aspects of marine organisms, including metabolism and reproduction in many aquatic organisms. Warm stormwater runoff can cause rapid temperature swings in aquatic habitats, which can be unpleasant and even lethal to aquatic species.
According to one research, urban streams are warmer on average than wooded streams, and temperatures in urban streams climbed by more than 7°F after minor storms due to warmed discharge from urban materials.
Yet another approach for reducing storm-water runoff and improving water quality is to install green infrastructure. Downspout shutdowns, rain gardens, planter boxes, bioswales, permeable pavements, green streets and alleyways, green parking, and green roofs are just a few examples, as are land conservation activities.
Conclusion
Warming temperatures, fluctuations in precipitation, an increase in the frequency or severity of some severe weather events, and rising sea levels are all effects of climate change. These effects jeopardise our health by influencing the food we consume, the water we consume, the air we breathe, and the weather we encounter. The intensity of these health hazards will be determined by public health and safety systems’ capacity to control or prepare for emerging risks, as well as individual behaviour, age, gender, and economic position. In which a person lives, how vulnerable they are to health concerns, and how much they are subjected to climate change consequences will all have an influence, and their ability to adapt to change, both individually and as a group. Although people in impoverished countries are perhaps the most exposed to health concerns internationally, climate change causes serious health problems even in developed countries like the India.