An article in Forbes summarises recent findings on climate change’s impacts on health. A new report from The Lancet Countdown, an interdisciplinary collaboration of 120 experts and 35 institutions, links our well-being with our planet’s.
The other report from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies shows that the spread of infectious diseases is “inextricably bound up to climate and ecological dynamics.”
The article says that recent extreme natural events—such as the forest fires ravaging California—are considered the worst, as are Australia and Siberia. These events remind us of the changing climate and pose serious threats to life and health.
In 2018, heatwaves claimed almost 300 thousand lives and are linked to civil unrest, political instability, and even suicide, the article says.
Another consequence of climate change is it could jeopardise humanity’s “hard-won” progress in extending its lifespan. The Red Cross report says climate change is closely connected to the spreading of infectious diseases.
Climate change causes unstable environmental conditions and weather variations, which could help facilitate the proliferation of diseases and allow new ones to thrive. Our recent experience with COVID-19 will contextualise how we will deal with future incidents of pandemics and infectious diseases.
However, a European study estimated that half of the world’s population is still unaware of the link between climate change and disease – this is a critical gap that health professionals and scientists need to fill.
Thankfully, media coverage of the interaction between health and climate change increased significantly between 2018 and 2019, helping to fill the information gap.
The reports are also a call to action for policymakers and health professionals worldwide to recognise and prevent further environmental damage if we want to preserve our culture, progress, and way of life, the article says.
To view the reports, click the links below:
Source
Haseltine, W. (2020, December 8). New Study Shows Deep Impact of Climate Change On Human Health. Forbes. Retrieved from New Study Shows Deep Impact Of Climate Change On Human Health (forbes.com).
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