5 Ways Global Warming Will Affect Your Health And Well-Being

Climate change doesn’t just affect the world, but also your health. The warming temperatures, extreme weather events, destruction of ecosystems, rising sea levels, increasing pollution and changes in precipitation threaten our health by breathing poisoned air, eating bad food, drinking polluted water and bad weather.

These health risks vary depending on the health and safety systems in place to address these threats as they emerge. They also vary depending on an individual’s geographical location, sensitivity, age, immunity, gender and economic status. There are too many variables, but one thing is for sure, global warming is one of the greatest health hazards of the twenty-first century worldwide. emeds healthcare experts warn that if we do not learn to adapt and change with the changing times or take steps to reduce the impact of global warming, these health effects will continue to worsen.

People living in developing nations may be more vulnerable to the health risks posed by climate change than those living in affluent countries. This is mainly because the more prosperous countries can invest in expensive measures and technologies that can lessen the damage or improve healthcare. But it doesn’t mean they are entirely risk-free. In fact, without extensive efforts to curtail global warming, the health risks will spread all over the world and continue to destroy lives.

1. Cardiac problems

An increase in the average global temperature will likely increase the occurrence of heatwaves in the coming years. When combined with the buildup of air pollution and deterioration of the ozone layer, it will cause an increase in hospital admission for heart problems. Ozone deterioration in the upper atmospheric layers may cause an increase in its concentration on the ground level. Even in diluted form, ozone is very harmful to the body. Rising temperatures may make the body more vulnerable to toxins like ozone.

The atmospheric temperature and ozone are bad for the heart, affecting your automatic nervous system. The automatic nervous system is a part of the central nervous system, and it helps the body adapt to its environment. It controls the heart’s electrical activity, airflow into the lungs, and several other essential body regulation functions.

2. Allergies

Due to the rising levels of carbon dioxide as well as the rising temperatures, allergies are also on the rise. This trend is especially evident in developed countries. Global warming disturbs the whole ecosystem. It makes the flowers bloom earlier and increase the total pollen production. This has caused the sensitivity towards pollen to also rise in many places. While other factors, like genetics, may play a role in the development of allergies, longer-lasting pollen seasons can exacerbate the symptoms even further.

More heat may also cause more rain, which may cause an increase in fungi, mould and other indoor pollutants that cause allergies.

3. Trauma from extreme weather phenomena

It is a given that global warming leads to a severe imbalance in climate all over the world. As a result, heatwaves, floods, droughts, typhoons, rising sea levels and more could lead to an extraordinary rise in the death toll. It was only a short while ago, in June 2021, when we witnessed a heatwave that took hundreds of lives. In fact, some places in Canada reached such extraordinary high temperatures that had never been recorded in that area before. More than likely, such heatwaves will continue to worsen, especially in the Americas and Europe.

Heatwaves and droughts are expected to become the biggest environmental killers in the coming years. As many as a billion people could face severe water shortages. Even if the extreme weather doesn’t result in mortality, it will still give way to a sharp rise in mental and physical health problems. Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and suicidal ideation will increase with the worsening weather phenomena.

4. Rise in desertification

Improper land usage combined with climate change will likely lead to a sharp rise in desertification or degradation of soil in dry climes all over the world. More than a third of the land is found in arid areas that risk desertification. The soil becomes almost completely unproductive once it is degraded enough. That’s why the total area for agriculture may sharply decrease in the coming years, making it difficult to feed the growing population.

Rampant deforestation and resultant desertification may also boost the growth of harmful bacteria in the ocean. When desert dust flies into the ocean, it supplies iron to it, among other things. This iron is essential for many marine organisms to live. Thus, rising desertification will also fuel the growth of these organisms, leading to a rise in a variety of infectious diseases among people.

An increase in several kinds of infectious diseases for ear, eye, skin, and the open wound may cause more illnesses on average among the population due to exposure to contaminated seafood and seawater.

5. Spread of various diseases

Increasing heat and rainfall in some areas may make the conditions ripe for the spread of certain infections and diseases. Certain infections caused by mosquitos or other insects will undoubtedly become more prevalent because a temperature rise is more favourable for the growth of specific insect species. Dengue, malaria, and other similar diseases will continue to become more common in addition to spreading into newer areas.
Bacteria also grow more rapidly in warmer climes, giving rise to salmonella and other food poisoning disorders. Global warming may also cause a sharp decrease in agricultural growth as well as the quality of agricultural products, leading to malnutrition.

Last word

The situation may seem pretty dire on the surface, but it is still solvable with proper precautions. There is a lot we can do to prevent the destruction of the environment and monumental health issues. The first step in this endeavour is to acknowledge that global warming is a real issue and needs to be resolved to the best of our abilities. Only then will we be able to safeguard our health.