Climate
change is an environmental issue across the globe. Some effects of climate
change include rising sea levels, shrinking glaciers, changes in the range and
distribution of plants and animals, trees blooming earlier and lengthening of
seasons. The impact of climate change is extensive and scientists are working
to better understand how the effects will vary by region and over time, and in
addition, how environments and cultures will respond to the effects of climate
change. Here is some information on how climate change can affect your health:
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Your health can be affected by climate change through extreme periods of heat
and cold, storms, and climate-sensitive diseases such as malaria, and smog
episodes. There have been more outbreaks of Dengue fever, malaria, and
encephalitis in our country in recent years. Mosquitoes and plankton, which
thrive in warmer water temperatures, play a key role in transmitting such
diseases.
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Allergies, from ragweed in the fall to tree pollen in the spring, are expected
to become stronger. The allergy seasons will also become longer because of less
frost and earlier blooming. Ground-level ozone can damage lung tissue and is
especially harmful for those with asthma and other chronic lung diseases.
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Higher temperatures, in combination with heavier rainfall patterns, could
exacerbate disease transmission in some locations where certain diseases
already exist. In locations where rainfall patterns are shorter and
temperatures are cooler, climate change will slow down disease transmission.
For example, temperature and humidity levels must be sufficient for certain
disease-carrying vectors, such as ticks that carry Lyme disease, to thrive.
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Bigger coastal storms are on the rise. The flooding that is associated with
major hurricanes is expected to occur more frequently. The effects that major
flooding can have on health can be significant, especially the physical and
mental stresses. By 2050, a 1-foot rise in sea level is predicted, which could
worsen flood damage by 36 to 58 percent.
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Insect stings are on the rise. Bees, wasps, and yellow jackets are spreading to
new areas. Alaska’s temperature changes have been the most significant in the
United States, so the effects from these temperature changes may be indicators
of changes to expect.
Climate change is an environmental concern that will become more prevalent as
time goes on. As more research is conducted, more conclusions will be drawn
about the impact of future climate change, which will help in managing the
effect on human health.
