There are those who believe that the climate crisis has not yet arrived. They may not experience it. This is a beautiful dream, but it is wrong, and dreams are usually not true.
1. Heat waves and extreme heat
Extreme heat waves are becoming more frequent and intense, which can lead to heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and exacerbate existing health problems such as cardiovascular disease. Vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children and people with chronic diseases are particularly at risk.
2. The spread of infectious diseases
Climate change affects the spread of infectious diseases. Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns can expand the habitats of disease-carrying insects such as mosquitoes, increasing the spread of diseases such as malaria, dengue, and Zika virus.
3. Air pollution
Rising temperatures can increase concentrations of air pollutants such as ozone. Air pollution can worsen breathing problems, trigger asthma attacks and contribute to other lung diseases. People with pre-existing respiratory conditions are particularly at risk.
4. Food and water supplies
Climate change threatens food security and water supplies through drought, floods and changing weather patterns. This can lead to food shortages, malnutrition and water-related diseases.
5. Harsh weather conditions
Hurricanes, floods, and other severe weather events can cause direct physical damage and lead to injuries, loss of life, and psychological distress. The effects of such disasters can also cause long-term health problems due to, for example, lack of clean water and sanitation.
6. Mental health
The uncertainty and stress caused by the climate crisis can also affect mental health. People can suffer from anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress, especially after extreme weather events or when they lose their homes and livelihoods.
7. Water quality
Changes in rainfall patterns and increases in extreme weather events can affect the quality of water sources, leading to water pollution and the spread of waterborne diseases.
8. Heat island effect in cities
Cities can become ‘heat islands’ where temperatures are higher than the surrounding countryside. This effect is exacerbated by climate change and can lead to health problems for urban residents.
It will get a little worse every year. More natural disasters, more tropical diseases, water scarcity, and climate wars. We can reduce the consequences, but we can no longer avoid them.
