What is climate change doing to our health?
/The 2014 National Climate Assessment, conducted by a team of more than 300 experts and a federal advisory committee, concluded that new health threats will emerge and existing ones will only get worse.
Increased global temperatures, ground-level ozone and air pollution are expected to limit lung function and increase emergency room trips for those with asthma, whose ranks have substantially increased in the past decade. Longer and fiercer pollen seasons are expected to worsen respiratory symptoms, leading to more missed school days and time off from work. That's why the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is taking steps now to educate the public and policymakers on the dangers and effects of climate change on health.
- Temperatures are rising.
- Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent.
- Air quality is decreasing.
- Climate change is not only taking a toll on the environment, but on our health.
Asthma issues
Major rise in asthma worldwide and many external factors and influences are contributing to it. One of them is rising pollen. Not only are plants producing more pollen, but the pollen being churned out is more allergenic
Research suggests these changes are being driven by rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, a consequence of burning fossil fuels and changes to land use.
Also a certified asthma educator for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, she and her family control their symptoms with a plethora of medications, from nasal sprays to decongestants and antihistamines. Tree pollens are worse in the morning so afternoon/evening are best for walk/bike ride
Heart Disease and Stroke
Pollution and extreme temperature changes can increase the risk for heart attack or stroke What causes this? Particulate matter, also known as particle pollution, or simply PM, which the EPA defines as a complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets. Their increasing numbers are courtesy of droughts and wildfires. The harmful concoction of acids – such as nitrates and sulfates – along with organic chemicals, metals, soil and dust particles is associated with inflammation of the blood vessels
Link to inflammation and subsequent blood vessel dysfunction, also increases risk for:
o Coronary artery disease
o Damage to blood vessels
o Atherosclerosis
o Hardening of the arteries
o Risk if greater if living in an urban area due to higher levels of outdoor pollution
Mental Health and Stress
Although a warming climate may decrease the overall number of storms that form, it could increase the number of more intense, damaging storms. Melting glaciers and ice caps can also lead to increased sea levels, making coastal flooding a recipe for disaster should a storm reach a coastline. Example: Alaska's permafrost – the foundation for many homes and roads – has begun to melt, leading to the relocation of 12 villages.
Germs on the Move
The emergence of infectious diseases like Ebola in new places uld be the result of climate change. Increasing temperatures can also promote water-borne illnesses in shellfish, which can be transmitted to humans through consumption
If traveling outside the U.S., avoid drinking unfiltered water and eating any fruits or vegetables you haven't peeled yourself to stave off sickness. If going to a malaria zone, be sure you and your travel companions are appropriately vaccinated against the disease, he says.