The direct damage costs to health (i.e. excluding costs in health-determining sectors such as agriculture and water and sanitation), is estimated to be between US$2-4 billion/year by 2030. Reducing emissions of greenhouse gases through better transport, food and energy-use choices can result in improved health, particularly through reduced air pollution.
The Australian Academy of Science released a report titled “Climate change challenges to health: Risks and opportunities” talked about five main impacts of climate change.
The Australian Academy of Science released a report titled “Climate change challenges to health: Risks and opportunities” talked about five main impacts of climate change.
- First, extreme weather events directly impacting on lives, homes and communities, and placing stress on the mental wellbeing of members of the community during prolonged events such as intense heatwaves.
- Second, many diseases are likely to spread and increase in incidence as the climate warms. A growing human population with high rates of interconnectedness is also at risk from newly emergent and exotic diseases for which we have no treatment or immunity.
- Third, disrupted supplies of water and high temperatures will stress crops and promote algal blooms in reservoirs while rising ocean acidification will affect fisheries.
- Fourth, jobs - including farming, fishing and tourism - will be particularly badly affected from soaring temperatures, droughts and storms. Employment patterns will be changed and disruptions to supply chains will threaten businesses.
- Lastly, threatened food supply chains, changing patterns of infectious diseases, and forced migration from land rendered uninhabitable will trigger tension, unrest and violent conflict.
Climate change is a real issue for humanity, and if want to avoid the health impacts, we need to work together, not just as tribes or nations, but as a united world, to make sure we create a future that is worth living for, for the next generation.
Tags:
News