The Impact of Climate Change on the UK Health - Coursework Example

THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE UK HEALTH By Climate change of the twenty-first century playsa vital role in the issue of public health. The rapid population growth rate of the modern world endangers human development as well as weakening the capacity of the contemporary communities to adapt and respond to climate change. The interrelation of population and climate changes lies in mitigation and adaptation. For this reason, people should reduce the levels of greenhouse emission and subsequently decrease the vulnerability of the population to the effects of the climatic change. The science of climate changes integrates profoundly with the dynamics of the population. For example, the mass migration of people from the regions with adverse climatic effects has become a legit response to the extreme weather conditions. In the modern societies, climate changes dictate the manner in which people relate and coexist in their daily lives. In addition, it redefines the quality of our nutrition as plants vary in relation to the changing patterns of weather and climate. According to recent research in climatology within the United Kingdom (UK), global warming causes a change in weather patterns resulting in warmer summers and colder winters (Aldy & Stavins 2007, p.17). Evidently, too much rain will dominate the winter season. However, some scientists believe that a warmer world directly implies a sicker world. Mild winters provide the necessary environment for most the bacteria to mutate and epidemic diseases due to the prolonged spell of coldness (Urry, 2011, p. 11). A sharp rise in the degree of heat waves due to global warming implies an increase in the mortality rate related to hot conditions. Medical practitioners claim that the prevalence of ground-level ozone brings about a vast number of the cardio-respiratory infections (Barr, 2007, p. 7). In addition, a substantial increase in the scales of global temperatures allows the bacterial diseases to move to regions that were initially too cold for them to survive. The increase in bacteria results in an increase in the number of diseases in the area. Additionally, it also escalates the transformations experienced by the diseases in the new environments. The different strains of modified infections like malaria are likely to become pandemic in some parts of the UK. Globally, climate change causes intense flooding and increased harsh conditions such as storms and droughts (Benoit 2011, p. 15). Due to these adversities, most people become homeless, leading to a decrease in the general health of the society. A case of increased floods leads to the widespread of waterborne diseases as wells as fungal infections that thrive well in moist surroundings. On the other hand, drought encourages the emergence of rodents that compromise food preservation and prevent clean water supply to the community. Apart from the UK, the climatic changes broadly have an effect on the rest of the world (Commonwealth Secretariat 2009, p. 23). Not only does it influence the developed countries but also the developing countries with harsh outcomes due to the lack of prudent contingency plans during a disaster. The adaptation of people in the developing countries is slow; thus elevating the public health calamities. Therefore, the extents of the impacts of the climatic change in the UK are less severe compared to some parts of the world. However, these effects do not only befall the human population but also have ruthless results on wildlife. Specifically, it interferes with the natural balance of the ecosystem leading to conflict between human beings and animals (Cowie, 2007, p. 21). Over the past three decades, the UK temperatures have risen due to the climatic changes resulting in the onset of strange diseases like the flu. Notably, the emerging flu is mainly attributed to the greenhouse effects pioneered by the start of the industrial era in the modern UK. Unfortunately, there is little to do to curb this problem as the level of warming depends on the rate of gas emissions from the industries. In a bid to counter climate change, there is a need to change the levels of radiation emitted by the dangerous fumes. The gasses affect the health and welfare of the UK population (Desonie 2008, p. 13). The UK government recognizes the existence numerous risks associated with the climate change. In their risk assessment of the same, the state concludes that floods and heavy rains are the potential threats facing the country (Ochoa, Hoffman & Tin 2005, p. 24). In addition, the UK government identifies climatic risks such as water shortage and changes in the diversity of natural habitats. Scientists use computer models to simulate the climatic changes that indicate the prevalence of extreme warm winter over the next century (Faure & Peeters 2011, p. 27). An intense rain downpour would result in rampant cases of massive floods around the UK. With this regard, a rise in the sea level causes rigorous and frequent floods putting the vast infrastructure and business of the country at greater risk. In accordance with the UK government’s research findings, an estimated amount of ten billion Euros would be lost before the end of 2080 (Nemeth 2012, p. 25). With the same token, the model suggests that the weather could become more unfriendly. It states that the heat wave scenario of 2003 would be the tradition of the next century (Gillard 2011, p. 16). On the UK population, an increase in the levels of heat affects the older generation and this result in stress on the health facilities available to the old. With the country having a life expectancy rate of, at least, 70 years, this scenario compromises a significant population of the UK community (Urry 2011, p. 15). One of the major threats identified above relates to water supply and security. Hot summers cause lower water levels in the river, causing a reduction in the amount groundwater replenishment. Increased rates of evaporation would vaporize the little water left for both the human and wildlife populations (Barr 2007, p. 9). Statistically, the UK government estimates that around 50 million people would be living in the areas affected by shortages in water supply (Guzman, 2013, p. 12). Consequently, this would encourage water rationing as a principal measure to ensure equitable distribution of water. Despite the current existence of aggravating factors such as land conversion and massive pollution in the ecosystem, water shortage would increase the prospect of hygiene and water related diseases. In addition, most species will lose their originality and natural sense due to the environmental changes. Consequently, this increases the possibility of animal and plant diseases that are transferable to the human population. Additionally, the salt marsh that emanates from rising sea level destroys the habitats of some of the components of nature. Good to note, some particular species may be subjected to extinction due to the destruction of their food chain supply pattern and change of their breeding periods (Townsend 2009, p. 9). However, these entire estimates are statically constructed from the probability models and hence their subsequent actualization of the analyzed change in climate patterns is not certain. On the wider scope, economic and social trends will have a far greater impact on UK (H.W. Wilson Company 2013, p. 22). The UK aging population faces a high vulnerability to the effects of extreme heat. Notably, the threats projected in these assertions are health related such as malnutrition and diet-related conditions. An increase in water consumption, both the industrial and domestic sector, translates to a 5 percent increment by 2020 (Hartman & Meshbesher 2010, p. 19). The vulnerabilities that the UK faces to climate change lies in the poor planning of urban development. On average, the construction of approximately 15,000 new homes per year stipulates that more homes built close to the floodplains, increasing the prospect of disease infection. The consequences of climate change affect the United Kingdom and its foreign associate. Therefore, the challenge is not only a UK problem but also a global health hazard (Benoit 2011, p.21). As an example, cessation of the supply of industrial raw material due to climate change affects the food prices in the country. Consequently, this reflects an underfed or a consumption of an unbalanced diet that result in increased health risks. Global climatic instability leads to a migration pattern from the affected areas to the amicable regions such as the UK. In effect, the immigrants introduce new or fatal diseases such as cholera and other infectious ailments (Lerner & Pierre 2009, p. 5). Climate change in the UK has many severe health implications of the UK population. Precisely, global issues such as mass migration to the UK strain the available public health resources. For this reason, the country is at risk of the outbreak of vector-borne infections that are catastrophic and health disabling to the healthcare sector. Climatic changes increase the frequency of heat-related morbidity and mortality causing concern for the UK population. Precisely, it exacerbates the impacts of rising temperatures on health and affects the population trends of many countries. Climate change restricts human development as most people see refuge in the mildly affected regions (Philander 2008, p. 20). The only way to curb the adverse impacts of climate change is through the reduction in the level of emitting hazardous greenhouse gasses that cause global warming. The growing change of UK climate prompts the development of strategies for its subsequent mitigation. Medical facilities face stress due to the increased demand for their services. An escalating sick population originates from the severe cases of skin cancer, heat stroke and other disorders caused by Borrelia genotypes (Desonie 2008, p. 37). All these diseases compromise the health of the UK population. Quantitative and relativity analysis of the situation of the climate change indicates the necessary measure that needs to be set to counter its adverse effects. Warm summers encourage the multiplication of ticks. The number of ticks increases with respect to the change in climate leading to high risk of tick bites. Recent medical research reports show that tick bites from the European tick called Ixodes ricinus found in the UK leads to the transfer of the Lyme disease to humans (Scherer 2009, p. 31). In addition, warm summer facilitates the growth of insect vector diseases like malaria due to the vast number of breeding grounds for the mosquitoes. The female anopheles mosquito is responsible for the transfer of Plasmodium vivax that causes disease (Guzman 2013, p. 15). In essence, climate changes provide environments that are prone to disease outbreaks. In addition, there would be a change in the distribution of malaria originating from Plasmodium falciparum (Desonie, 2008; 39). It would lead to a high probability of malaria infection considering the vast number of foreigners that visit the UK. In particular, this climate outcome risk leads to a possible emergence of tropical diseases in the country. According to researchers, warm summer could allow the surfacing of new and more severe species of the malaria-causing parasite (Tanaka 2006, p. 13). In the past decade, Italy and Southern France have experienced an outbreak of the infections mentioned above. The prevalence of vector-borne contagions caused climate change alters the geographical scope of the infectious diseases. Furthermore, some cases of food poisoning lie in the range of possible outcomes due to the climate change (Robinson, 2007; 18). Specifically, this results from a change in the trend of food production at the onset of the hot and long summers. Food poisoning would adversely affect the sick and the elderly as they fall under the vulnerable population. The high temperatures cause the multiplication of microbes such as salmonella that is a source of food poisoning (Cowie, 2007, p. 27). A wet and warm environment also facilitates the spread of dengue fever and Chikungunya (Hartman & Meshbesher 2010, p. 27). Additionally, climate change leads to an increase in respiratory infections. The rising level of pollen grains in the atmosphere results in increased cases of allergic rhinitis (Townsend 2009, p. 13). Climate change slows down the ozone layer recovery leading to increased exposure, to the ultraviolet heat waves that cause cataracts to the human population. Nonetheless, the climate has its health benefits as it reduces the number of cold-related diseases. In addition, it leads to the emergence of new plants and yield increment for plants that do better in the hot weather season. Accordingly, this results in inadequate food for the population, eliminating the prospect of diet and malnutrition conditions. Additionally, some areas in the UK that facilitate recreational facilities for cooling the hot weather would experience an immense amount of development. Recreational facilities support physical exercises, which is a positive step towards the realization a healthy living and lifestyle. Finally, the climate change has a positive side in reducing the prevalence of cold-related disease. Consequently, it reduces the high levels of mortality associated with people succumbing to the cold-related infections. The transitions in ecological forms and sudden changes in the peoples ways of life lead to a change of culture and traditions that define the modern world. References Aldy, J. E., & Stavins, R. N. (2007). Architectures for Agreement: Addressing Global Climate Change in the Post-Kyoto World. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. Barr, G. (2007). Climate Change: Is The World In Danger? Chicago, Ill, Heinemann Library, A Division Of Reed Elsevier. Benoit, P. (2011). Climate Change. New York, Childrens Press. Commonwealth Secretariat. (2009). Managing the Health Effects of Climate Change. London, Commonwealth Secretariat. Cowie, J. 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