The Human Harms In The Climate Crisis

'Like a sunburn on your lungs': how does the climate crisis impact health?

Emily Holden, 16 September 2019 (UK Guardian)

Children, pregnant women and the elderly are the most at risk from extreme weather and heat – but the impact is already felt [by patients, doctors and researchers] across every specialty of medicine…As temperatures increase, plants produce more pollen for longer periods of time, intensifying the allergy seasons…[H]eat waves could lead to premature births…In the developing world pregnant people can also suffer from food and water scarcity. Insect-borne illnesses – such as the Zika virus, which was spread by mosquitoes – are also a hazard to developing fetuses…Air pollution gets worse as temperatures rise, stressing both the heart and lungs…

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[More intense wildfires spew dangerous smoke into the air…[And hotter days make more smog which is ‘like a sunburn on your lungs’ and] may trigger an asthma attack…[Hotter days cause dehydration which can lead to] electrolyte imbalances, kidney stones and kidney failure. Patients who need dialysis as their kidneys fail can have trouble getting treatment during extreme weather events…Higher temperatures and the depletion of the ozone layer increase the risk of skin cancer…[and is linked to] salmonella and campylobacter outbreaks. Extreme rains can contaminate drinking water…

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[A]lgae blooms that thrive in higher temperatures can cause gastrointestinal problems…[Insect spread expands transmission of] malaria, dengue, Lyme disease and West Nile virus. Waterborne cholera and cryptosporidiosis increase with drought and flooding … Diseases spread by mosquitoes and ticks increase the chance of neurological problems. Extreme heat is also linked with cerebrovascular disease, a disorder that affects blood supply to the brain…[And extreme weather events, including hurricanes, floods and wildfires, often cause violent conflict which increases mental health challenges and] physical injuries…” click here for more

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