The role of global warming in public health - Research Paper Example

The Role of Global Warming in Public Health Introduction Global warming can be described as a gradual increase in temperature of the earth’s atmosphere due to the effect of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide among others (Shindell and Raso 8). It is a phenomenon where the earth becomes warmer and it is also characterized by unpredictable weather changes. The greenhouse gases have a greater effect on our climate (Hardy 5) since they are the core elements regulating the earth’s temperature. Normally, the greenhouse gases allow light to penetrate and warm the interior but trap radiation thereby heating the inside. Therefore, these gases lead to buildup of heat and increase the temperature on the surface of the earth. Agreeably, global warming is a serious issue that concerns many people and various organizations globally because of its adverse effects on the planet earth. This paper discusses the role of global warming in public health and it mainly focuses on the effects of global warming and climate change on human health. Overview of global warming and climate change Global warming is caused by increase in greenhouse gases that are emitted into the air, and it can cause extreme weather events such as drought, flooding, and rise in sea level among others (Fernando, Klaic and McCulley 2). Another extreme weather event caused by global warming is heat-waves (Cowie 343). Notably, global warming can be caused by natural or human activities, for instance, natural global warming happens as a result of factors such as volcanic eruption. On the other hand, human induced global warming is due to activities such as agricultural practices, burning of fossil, industrial processes, and deforestation among others. Human beings highly depend on fossil fuels as a source of energy and this has increased the atmospheric content of greenhouse gases. These gases contain excess heat within the atmosphere and the impacts of climatic change are disastrous. In most cases, these harmful gases are emitted into the air from the combustion of fossils like coal and petroleum. Some scholars have suggested that higher levels of greenhouse gases are associated with an overall hotter global climate. Individuals are directly responsible for global warming given that almost all aspects of their lives involves the emission of these toxic greenhouse gases. The most commonly used fossil fuels that release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere include natural gases, coal and petroleum (Clemmitt 2). These fuels are used by humans to meet their power, heating and transportation needs. Under normal circumstances, the greenhouse effect makes life sustainable by keeping the earth under the constant range of temperatures. What normally happens is that the sun emits solar radiation in form of light rays, which strike the earth causing the temperature to rise. Some of the solar radiation is absorbed by the earth, some escapes into the space while the atmosphere traps some and reused to produce more heat. This implies that the atmosphere serves as an insulator to keep the earth warm when necessary. Nevertheless, the problem that is experienced with global warming is that the earth’s atmospheric insulator has become too effective and it retains more heat thereby instigating the earth’s temperature to rise. Effects of global warming on health Ecological disruptions and any other form of disruptions can adversely affect public health. Due to changes in climate increases, existing health threats and creates new health threats. Health effects of global warming depend on factors such as age, economic resources and location. Generally, the health effects of global warming and climate changes include respiratory and cardiovascular disease, threats to mental health, injuries and premature deaths associated with extreme weather events, increased infectious diseases, and changes in the prevalence and distribution of food. Global warming leads to changes in climate and this in turn affects human health in various ways. Climate change is a critical public health problem. It makes existing diseases and conditions worse and introduces new pests and pathogens into the societies. It also affects the social and environmental determinants of human health including clean air, safe drinking water, and sufficient food among others. The most vulnerable individuals are the poor, elderly, children, and people with underlying health conditions who are at risk of diseases resulting from or triggered by climate change (Shindell and Raso 7). To begin with, high temperatures directly cause deaths from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases especially among the aging population (Smith and Tirpak 14-1). Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere aggravate asthma and allergies (Kasotia 49). In addition, extreme temperatures also increase the levels of ozone and other pollutants in the atmospheres that worsen cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. For instance, increased level of pollen and other aeroallergen in high temperatures and these can trigger asthma, which affects many individuals globally. In addition, increased level of carbon dioxide enhances the growth of weeds whose pollen activates allergies and worsen asthma. The number of individuals suffering from pollen allergy and asthma has significantly increased due to global warming. This is because pollens are more readily dispersed during hot weather (Johansen 340). Moreover, increasing temperatures enhance ground-level ozone smog production, which poses a serious threat to those suffering from asthma. In addition, individuals are likely to be exposed to ultraviolet radiation in warm weather, which is very harmful to human health (McMichael 161). Increased greenhouse gases in the air and rising temperatures have significantly interfered with agricultural activities and food production process. For instance, the rising temperature dries vegetation resulting in drought. As a result, the health of many individuals worldwide is affected through increased cases of malnutrition and deaths because of extreme weather conditions. Additionally, reduction of staple food production due to high temperatures will increase the prevalence of malnutrition and under-nutrition especially in the poorest regions thereby causing massive deaths. Global warming also causes natural disasters such as floods, which destroy homes and health care facilities thereby forcing individuals to move, and this may in turn increase exposure to various health conditions including mental disorders and communicable diseases. Floods also contaminate fresh water supplies thereby increasing the risk of water-borne diseases. Further, global warming also leads to variable rainfall patterns, which are more likely to interfere with the supply of fresh water. Undeniably, lack of safe water compromises hygiene and increase the risk of diseases such as diarrhea that kills many people especially children. Moreover, heavy rainfall washes pathogens from contaminated soil and farms into drinking water supplies causing an outbreak of diarrheal illnesses. Nevertheless, higher outdoor temperatures can result in increased outbreaks of food-borne illnesses like salmonella, which multiplies rapidly in high temperatures. Climatic change also increases the spread of diseases through insects and snails, which increase in number during heavy rainfall and serve as mode of transmission of various diseases. Climate change and disruption of ecosystem have caused widespread outbreaks of infection such as malaria, dengue fever, and diarrheal illnesses among others (Kasotia 48). Mosquitoes are spreading because the climate allows them to survive in areas that they could never do so earlier on. An increase in temperature can lead to a longer life cycle for diseases or the agents spreading them because living in areas with high temperatures enhances egg production. Moreover, global warming will lead to more precipitation, which will result in easy contact and spread of infectious diseases. In addition, changes in climate increases the period of transmission of some diseases such as vector-bone diseases and even change their geographic range (Smith and Tirpak 14-1). Another disease that is caused by changes in climate is malaria, which is mainly spread by mosquitoes. Notably, mosquitoes are a major carrier of tropical illnesses, for instance, malaria outbreaks are caused by increased temperatures from global warming. Mosquitoes thrive in hot and humid weather, and so increased temperatures and more rains in certain areas will lead to such weather thereby allowing mosquitoes to migrate to new places and continue spreading tropical diseases. Other diseases carried and spread by mosquitoes include cholera and dengue fever which mainly occur and spread to many new places due to migrations of mosquitoes. Research shows that malaria accounts for the deaths of many people annually in the world. Furthermore, severe heat waves will lead to an increase in the number of individuals dying from such extreme weather events. More so, hotter weather can cause local air quality problems thereby affecting individuals’ lives. On the contrary, global warming may have some benefits such as reduced winter deaths in temperate climates. For instance, diseases that thrive in cold weather like the influenza can be reduced in warmer weather (Johansen 341). It can also lead to an increased food production in particular areas. Combating global warming Preventing global warming is essential to be able to maintain a healthy and undisturbed lifestyle. This can be done by stabilizing carbon emissions and this is possible if individuals use renewable sources of energy such as sunlight, wind, and tides that do not burn carbon (Hansen). Encouraging increased use of renewable energy sources is one of the most effective ways to prevent global warming because humans to meet their energy needs create most greenhouse gases from the combustion of carbon fossil fuels. Clean energy technologies such as wind and solar power, which produce energy without burning fossil fuels, can also be used to prevent these dangerous gases from emitting into the atmosphere. However, switching to renewable sources of energy as an alternative to prevent global warming can be very challenging because of technological and financial barriers (Clemmitt 17). More so, combating global warming requires individuals to use energy more efficiently, for instance, they can use hybrid automobiles and sub-zero refrigerator. In addition, nuclear power as a source of energy is also an efficient alternative because it does not result in global warming. Therefore, increasing renewable energy sources and nuclear power will help in combating global warming. Conclusion Global warming is a danger to human’s health as its effects on climate adversely affect humans. Global warming is as a result of increased greenhouse gases emitted into the air. It causes extreme weather events like heat waves, drought, rise in sea leave, and flooding among others. Changes in climate increases existing illnesses and create new health threats. Health effects of global warming include cardio-respiratory disease, injuries and premature death related to effects of extreme events, increased infectious diseases, and food shortage leading to malnutrition. Following these adverse effects of global warming on human health, there is need to prevent it so as to protect individuals’ health. Some of the preventative measures include using alternative energy sources that do not burn carbon and using available energy efficiently among others. Works Cited Clemmitt, Marcia. Is Tougher Action Needed to Slow Rising Temperatures? CQ Researcher 16.4, 2006, 1-35. Cowie, Jonathan. Climate Change: Biological and Human Aspects. Cambridge University Press, 2007. Print. Fernando, H. Klaic, Z, and McCulley J. National Security and Human Health Implications of Climate Change. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer, 2012. Pri t. Hansen, Jim. Climate Change: On the Edge. The Independent. 2006. Web. 13 March 2015 Hardy, John T. Climate Change: Causes, Effects and Solutions. Chichester: Wiley, 2003. Print. Johansen, Bruce E. The Encyclopedia of Global Warming Science and Technology. Santa Barbara, Calif. [u.a.]: Greenwood Press, n.d.. Print. Kasotia, Paritosh. The Health Effects of Global Warming. UN Chronicle 44.2 (2007): 48-49. McMichael, A.J. Climate Change and Human Health: Risks and Responses. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2003. Print. Shindell, Sidney, and Raso Jack. Global Climate Change and Human Health. Am Cncl on Science, Health, n.d. Smith, Joel B., and Tirpak, Dennis A. The Potential Effects of Global Climate Change on the United States: National studies. The University of Michigan. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Policy, Planning, and Evaluation, Office of Research and Development, 1988. Print. Read More