Delving into the Health Challenges Posed by Climate Shifts and Cultivating Strategies for Adaptation and Prevention
The health of our planet and environments have clear links with the health and wellbeing of humanity. Health is a continuously growing concern, and our medical science is at its peak, however we now are facing increased health problems due to climate change.
As we mentioned in our previous article, in April we are focusing on the theme of ‘adaptation’ in our Climate Emergency Response Plan (CERP). Health is one part of adaptation that often is not made very clear in the bigger picture. Adaptation is not only about preparing and adjusting for increased natural disasters, but also in general about preparing for any of the unpredictable effects that come with climate change, one of which being the impact this has on the health and wellbeing of humanity. The risk to our health is growing due to many elements from physical to mental, and without appropriate attention to the issue, we will see an increase in the people affected and it could lead to an even more overwhelmed and struggling NHS.
Physical Effects of Climate Change
The World Health Organisation (WHO): climate change facts say that every year, around two billion people across the world do not have access to safe drinking water, and 600 million get sick from illnesses that are carried in foods. Climate change affects the quality and diversity, and the availability of food, along with the quality and availability of water, making health problems worse.
Natural disasters are also a risk and can also destroy or damage food production, events like flooding or in worse cases tsunamis can pull dirty and unsanitary water from our river, oceans, and sewage, making any crops or water supplies that are affected not safe to consume. Natural disasters can also cause harm to our economies, causing damage to our towns and cities, restricting access to local hospitals and when it comes to finance it could tighten funding for the health care systems. But of course, this is not the biggest health challenge we face when it comes to natural disasters, with any extreme weather cases there is a risk of injury and potential death.
Climate change is the driving force of more extreme and frequent weather, and it is proving to be damaging to our health but an important thing to remember is we have a huge part to play in this. Climate change is getting worse because of how we treat our environment, we release more greenhouse gases due to the technology we use, how we travel, and how we behave in our every day lives, and it is quickly heating our earth up. What we do not realise that that we are not only damaging our environment, but we are also damaging our health. WHO have also claimed that greenhouse gases and climate change can increase the risk of health risks such as respiratory problems, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer.
Due to greenhouse gases, we are seeing a quick decline in air quality. Things like transport, fossil fuels, and any other actions that release pollution are filling the air with gases, heating the planet, and damaging our air. This does not cause any immediate harm however there is an increase in respiratory conditions such as Asthma. The National Library of Medicine claims that 13% of global numbers of asthma in children could be linked to Traffic-Related Air Pollution (TRAP) and data showed that air pollution has a negative impact on asthma outcomes in for all age groups.
Climate Anxiety
In the last decade mental health has become an increasingly worrying concern, but with that it is also becoming more known and treatable and no longer a taboo. Climate anxiety is one mental health condition that is creeping up in numbers due to amount of information and content we see online that often is not true or overdramatized with the intent of scaring people. A study from the Office of National Statistics in 2022 showed that 70% of 16-29 year olds experience climate anxiety, and additionally 59% of 50-69 year olds do too.
Anxiety is never unjustifiable, especially when you find yourself diving through pages and pages of ‘facts’ and videos. It is completely understandable to feel uneasy, but it is always important to know that there is something we can do about it. Little steps will make big differences and as we adapt to our changing world and reduce our impacts, we will see the change in our health and wellbeing quality.
If you or someone you know is struggling with climate anxiety or any other mental health problems make sure you have someone you can talk to and do not be scared to open up about it, you can find out information at Mind: struggling with climate anxiety, or contact your local GP for advice.
Mind: Norfolk and Waveney have an article about climate anxiety. Although not based in Durham, it has some great information and resources, that you may find useful, all about climate anxiety and how to tackle it. Mental Health UK also have information all about it too. If you feel overwhelmed by negative news, there are some great websites that you can keep updated with, such as Positive.news, which share good news from all around the world, including environment stories.
How can we reduce the impacts?
The biggest step you can take is reducing your own carbon emissions. Reducing your carbon emissions and educating and encouraging others to do it will help tackle the greenhouse gasses that are being released into our water, food, and air. Another thing you could do is advocate for sustainable practices, such as reducing energy consumption and promoting renewable and other energy efficient energy sources. Additionally, supporting sustainable agriculture by purchasing organic food and discouraging the use of pesticides ensures safer food production.
We also acknowledge that it is important that we all find ways to encourage our local businesses to endorse climate friendly practices. Shopping local, choosing, and supporting local businesses that are sustainable also helps.
When it comes to reducing climate anxiety, make sure to keep an eye out for fake stories and information across the internet. It is very easy to get dragged into the false and misinformation. Always check whether it is from a reputable source, where they are getting their information from, and do they have links to other studies? Always make sure what you are sharing is from a reputable and backed up source.
By understanding the risks and supporting solutions, we can protect both our physical and mental well-being. Every small step and action, like reducing emissions or promoting sustainable practices, makes a difference.
