Population, Development, and Climate Change and Effects on Human Health by Cochrane - Article Example

TOPIC: Population, development, and climate change and effects on human health Author’s [Name] University’s [Name] Introduction The title of the article is population, development, and climate change and effects on human health. The title of the article is eye-catching and conspicuous as many people are interested in any area that seems affect the human health. Correspondingly, the title is appropriate as this is an emerging issue on which the world needs to give much attention. The first impression of the title is shocking as a layman's thought cannot think that the change in climate may affect the health. Also, the title gives another perspective that population can also be an agent of change in human health. The expectations of this article are that there will be a significant and depth discussion on the elements of climate change that affect human health. Besides, to see how the changes in population development climate change are either hazardous or valuable to the human kind. The main reason for choosing to do the article is my zealous interest in the current changes in the climate globally. At the same time, the fact that I am a victim of weather changes where there is evidence of the overlapping of seasons. Similarly, climate change is a big concern for me because nature is unforgiving (Cochrane, 2011). Since the industrial revolution changes in the overpopulation and climate context are numerous. Notable changes in the distribution of statistical weather patterns, where there are tremendous changes in and the expected weather conditions. At the same time, the presence of conditions change and in some places there is the overall weather changes (Aminata Toure, 2015). Furthermore, the changes have hard problematic impact on the socioeconomic as well as demographic (Marker, 2013). One climatic change and overpopulation affects the socioeconomic by numerous addition burdens on people and society by unbalancing the human life. Meaning the dynamics makes the world face increased pressure on human health, infrastructure and economy. The changes affect the agriculture because farmers are coerced to keep up with shifting weather and amplified unpredicted water supply. At the same time, farmers also struggle with unexpected attacks from weeds, diseases, and pest that affect the harvest (Cochrane, 2011). Additionally, warmer atmosphere pollute air affects our health because chemical reactions are higher and produce ground zone smog. Smog is a patent lung irritant as well as a major trigger of asthma attacks. Furthermore, smoke from the forest fires increases further degrade of the air, while extreme summer heat will mean more deaths during heat waves and the warmer freshwater gives a favorable for pathogens to grow and contaminate drinking water. Additionally, infrastructure and transportation are at risk where extreme weather damages the infrastructure, electrical supplies as well as communication system due to unpredictable heavy rains (Jakab, 2007.). In addition, the changes in the climate and population have devastating effects and leads to demographic shifts (Aminata Toure, 2015). For example, in the Horn of Africa Somalis have fled their country due to drought and lawlessness leading to tension between Kenya and Somalia. In other words, the drought and famine that is caused by changing weather has attributed the change of climate. Elsewhere, in Darfur region in Sudan, the rainfall in the place is 30 percent lower than it was 40 years ago and the Sahara desert is extending to the south by more than a mile a year. The effect of the climatic conditions forced the natives of the land to flee from Darfur, and the results are tensions between clans who practice herding and the ones who do farming. The pasture disappeared, and the water sources are all dry. The basic problem in the area is aggrieved by an increase in the number cattle’s that has overgrazed the soils of the area .Similarly, the population in Darfur has risen to 7.5 million, and many of the people moved from the rural areas and had drifted to the south to an area with higher rainfall posing threats to the existing communities (P, 2011). The issue of climatic changes does not only affect Africa but they also in South East Asia there is projected sea level rise could flood the millions of people residing in the area. The low-lying areas that are likely to be affected are Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, and China. According to UN the human activities like the growth of Megacities due to overpopulation are associated with the effect (Einspruch, 2013.). After unfathomable evaluation of the article the observation is that the climatic changes have serious consequences for the nature (Cochrane, 2011). At the same time, there is evidence that human activities are the leading cause of climatic changes. Effects of rising of sea water level which is a result of an imbalance of the water and in the sea can lead to flooding and displacement of millions. In addition, calamity such as tsunami and other catastrophic activities that take place are due to the activities related to climatic change (Jakab, 2007.). At the same time, many crisis that occurs around the globe are as a result of climatic changes and overpopulation, this can be supported by the fact that most communities are fighting due to resources such as fertile land and water and pasture for their animals. Most of the communities moved from their native areas settle on the areas that have resources after activities like overgrazing and soil erosion. Additionally, change of climate has resulted to shift of seasons whereby the farmers are not aware of when the onsets of the rain are (Kuo, 2012,). Moreover, increased population has played a great role in the change of climatic conditions. The increasing number of people especially in Africa Asia, Latin America has led to many people clearing the water catchment areas thereby altering the rain patterns. In other words, the main problems are of the 21st century are pollution the climatic changes and overpopulation which have come up with many changes in the globe (Marker, 2013). Most of the problems arising are as a result of climate change in the globe. Its, worth noting that, climatic changes can make the world change (Marker, 2013). Summary The articles first pinpoint that global health population growth, economic development, environmental degradation and the tremendous changes in climate are the main challenges in the 21st century. At the same time, to check the connection between population growth, environmental degradation and the effect on human health. In the start, the article analyzes the huge gap concerning world expanding population where world population is expected to grow ten times larger than it was the 19th century. The high growth started in 17th and 18th century when there was remarkable improvement in public health and was spread worldwide. Demographic transition is mostly triggered by decrease in mortality especially from an infectious disease, improved sanitation, nutrition allow the children to survive in childhood. Despite the fact that there is improved mortality survival, there is the decrease in fertility rates where study shows that there are 2.5 live births per woman as compared to 1950s where there were 5.At the same time, the article articulate the decreased fertility leads to aging of population, and it is much prevalent when reduction in fertility is rapid. For example in Japan, the median age is 22, however, in 1950 scientists predicts that the median age will be 52 years. Similarly, the trends are in all the countries in varying speeds. Equally, large implications for health frequently increased burden of non-communicable diseases and subsequent effect on health-care systems. Besides, the article discusses the various methods can be used to control the growing population across the globe. Modern climate change is, as a result, fossil fuel during the industrial revolution. Moreover, there is rising levels of the carbon dioxide in the air that has led to global warming. For example, in 2012, the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere rose to 400 parts per million by volume. The concentration attracted the attention of the world, and the UN urged all the country to control the gas emission. In addition, the high population is leading to high climatic changes. The article shows how the increasing population in the world has brought changes in the climate as well as health. At the same time, paper expresses the issue of the growing population is affecting the well-being of health. Carbon emissions have significantly influenced the human health either directly or indirectly, and the vice versa is true that reduction of burning fossil fuels will benefit the world. In other words, the world's poor of the third world have contributed little to climate change compared to the rich and countries. However, the effects are mostly felt in the third countries. High mortality rates, tribal clashes due to communities fighting for resources as the water sources and pastures have dried. The developed countries have received tremendous changes in their industries and have evolved into their economy. Correspondingly, the article was structured in a way that it enunciates the most prevalent problem of the 21st century. The main themes of the paper are to address the ever growing population and the effects as well as the climate changes that have made the very day life of a human. Critique The main strength of the paper is that it’s expresses the most prevalent issue in the 21st century. The issue of population growth is imperative because it is estimated in 2050 the world will have almost 10 billion people, and the figure looks unsustainable (P, 2011). The increase in human population is the most pressing issue so far. Conversely, the governments may not be able to give enough and effective resources to their people when the population is higher than the revenues. At the same time, high population leads to environmental degradation as the catchment areas are cleared to give room for settlement. The high cost of living is also attributed to high populations as the diversity between demand and supply expand and the results are basic commodities such as shelter, food, and healthcare increase the price. Meaning people have to pay more to survive On the other hand, the main weakness of the paper is that it fails to give advantages of having a large population. One, a big population gives enough workforce to the country. When a country has a skilled workforce, many companies will opt to invest in such a country because labor is sufficient. At the same time, large populations allow information economy to flow and as a result there is innovation. For example, more people do more jobs as they produce more art and more technology. Similarly, large population leads to urbanization and expansion of cities. According to research conducted it showed that only countries with notable levels of urbanization reach significant economic growth and income level. Additionally, overpopulation stimulates an improved standard of living. Meaning high population gives a bigger domestic market of the goods that are produced domestically. At the same time, most people are capable of working, and the products can be produced at cheaper costs, and labor cost are lower as a result, the products are affordable to the general population. The results are economies of scale is created because the volume increases and cost per unit. For example, China and India have flourishing economies despite the fact that the population is high (Cochrane, 2011). The main campaign of this article is to link between overpopulation and poor economy. Nevertheless, population increase does not necessarily necessitate poor economy. According to research conducted high population enables the country to make better use of their resources (Cochrane, 2011). At the same time, an increase in factor mobility if the rise has resulted from an increase in the immigration. Again, high population leads to the demand that stimulates introduction of new technology. More children being born will increase the dependency ratio in the short term but in the long-term, will result in more workers (Marker, 2013). Climatic changes do not only happen due to activities of the human. Natural causes such as volcanic activities, solar output, and Earth orbit around the sun count. The earth energy balance is affected by changes in volcanic activities, and solar radiation consequently, altering the incoming energy. Solar irradiance has contributed to climate trends as there are 50 times more gases released to the atmosphere. As a result, there are changes in sun heat output (P, 2011). Conclusions Ever increasing population in the world is a great sphere concern. High population is linked with increasing climate changes across the globe. Nonetheless, high population provides the source of labor as well as the market for the goods produced domestically. Yet again, the future research on the issue should strike a balance whether the world needs high populations' or low population as both sides has shortcomings and the merits. At the same time, the study must prove that other than human activities other dynamics cause environmental degradation. References Read More