Public Health Impacts of Climate Change

Greenhouse gases are as a result of many factors which are as a result of human activities which are on the increase and therefore increasing the rate at which these gases develop and hence causing menaces as far as public health is concerned. Climate change due to the increase of these greenhouse gases lead to the increase of health relates issues in the third world countries more than any other countries due to the issue of damaged public health infrastructure in most third world countries.

Prolonged vulnerability to outdoor and indoor air pollutants and allergens is one of the main effects of climate change as far as public health is concerned. Climate change leads to air pollutants which affect the public health of people who are exposed to the various pollutants which are as a result of varied pollutants which may be directly or indirectly connected to climate change.

Public health is affected in the sense that various diseases are caused due to climate change which triggers heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases. All these diseases are as a result of the various changes in the normal climate and therefore altering the weather of a place among other factors.

Intestinal maladies and ailments caused by biochemical and biological contaminants also come by as a result of climate change and therefore making the health of many people be at danger since most of these illnesses are lethal and somehow not curable since they cause chronic diseases for example cancer.

 

 

 Altered patterns of infections caused by bacteria, viruses and other pathogens carried by mosquitoes, ticks, and animals are as a result of the drastically changing weather patterns, and they lead to the various disease caused by the various insects and animals which in turn affect the public health of the larger human population.

In developing countries, increase in temperatures is associated to more recurrent and severe heat stress leading to the reduction in air quality that often accompanies a heat wave that can lead to breathing problems and worsen respiratory diseases, i.e., epidemics of meningococcal meningitis. Increases in the number, intensity, and period of heat waves during the century are projected to challenge further cities that currently experience heat waves, with potential for adverse health impacts. Results of climate change have already been documented in Europe. They include retreating glaciers, longer growing seasons, species range shifts, and heat wave-related health impacts. Also, the spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria may increase in areas projected to receive more precipitation and flooding. Increase in rainfall and temperature can cause spreading of dengue fever.

The repercussions of climate change on Agriculture and other food systems in developing countries can increase rates of malnutrition which is a health issue that impacts public health. By the beginning of the 21st century, African countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, and Zimbabwe, had heightened food shortages which required urgent situation help. Soaring temperatures and drought may reduce water availability and crop production leading to many health problems in parts of  Europe since the countries involved cannot be able to produce enough food which will be enough to supplement its population and therefore to maintain the health status of the people.

Climate changes lead to illness related to extreme cold and heat events which affect the public health leading to various illnesses such as meningitis among other diseases which can cause death and health complications. With the changing climatic patterns areas where there was cool climate with average temperatures drastically change leading to high temperatures being witnessed due to high emissions of carbon into the atmosphere for example due to the burning of forests which also help in the absorption of the gas which is the main cause of global warming.

Recommendations for industrialized countries can comprise of the countries meeting their aid commitments to attaining the Millennium Development Goals , respect and straight away put into practice treaties of deep emission cuts in the Kyoto Protocol and its treaty afterward in Copenhagen, share and transfer the available technology and new adaptation actions with the developing world and create an enabling environment for poor countries to limit their emissions while maintaining their rights to growth.

 Other recommendations that may include the grasping of policies planned for the decline of the overwhelming population growth, enhancing good governance and fighting corruption. Furthermore, emerging economies such as China and South Africa should be included in emission cuts in the Kyoto Protocol when it will be renewed.

 

 

 

Recommendations for less industrialized countries can include the increasing of vegetal cover in territorial land by carrying out reforestation and should be able to plan and execute to the later, sustainable population policies to slow down population growth rate and buy time for economic development. The countries should slot in climate change initiatives with early warning systems into national Millennium Development Goals to ensure sustainable growth, therefore, being able to prioritize renewable energy sources while being conscious of their various advantages. There should be the diversification of national economies with less dependence on fossil fuel and provide a special gap for youths at various levels.

The existing plans for mitigation and response discussed are practical and would work towards attaining proper climate that would make the world a better place to live in. Consequences of our activities affect the earth as an entity. This means that when people in America drive their cars, their actions have consequences to rural communities in Central Africa, farmers in South Africa and slum dwellers in Lagos.

     

 

                                                           

 

 

 

 

                                                     REFERENCES

Adekanye B. (2008) Conflict Diagnosis, Conflict Prevention and Conflict Management in Contemporary Africa. Ibadan: Ababa Press.

IPCC, (2001) Technical summary in Climate Change: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, Third Assessment Report. Cambridge & New York: Cambridge University Press.

Hinrichsen, D. & Robey B. (2000).  Population and the Environment: the Global challenge. Population Report   Series M 15. Baltimore. John Hopkins University School of Public Health, Population Information Program 2000

Swaminathan, S. J. (1995) Population Environment and Food Security. Issues in Agriculture No.7 Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)