Climate change and health

As talks about climate change intensify ahead of the climate change summit in Paris, it is important that we consider the health impact of this phenomenon and that a sustainable global agreement on climate change, with a strong emphasis on the protection and improvement of health be reached.{{more}}

Changes in the greenhouse gas concentrations and other drivers alter the global climate and bring about myriad human health consequences. Environmental consequences of climate change, such as extreme heat waves, rising sea-levels, changes in precipitation resulting in flooding and droughts, intense hurricanes, and degraded air quality, affect directly and indirectly the physical, social, and psychological health of humans.

For instance, changes in precipitation are creating changes in the availability and quantity of water, as well as resulting in extreme weather events, such as intense hurricanes and flooding. These changes have been quite evident lately, as we witnessed the 2013 Christmas flooding in St Vincent and the Grenadines and in St Lucia. Also, Dominica, a few months ago, felt the wrath of the impact of climate change on Small Island Developing States.

Climate change can be a driver of disease migration, as well as exacerbate health effects, resulting from the release of toxic air pollutants in vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with asthma or cardiovascular disease.

Certain adverse health effects can be minimized or avoided with sound mitigation and adaptation strategies. Strategies for mitigating and adapting to climate change can prevent illness and death in people now, while also protecting the environment and health of future generations. Mitigation refers to actions being taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to enhance the sinks that trap or remove carbon from the atmosphere.

Adaptation refers to actions being taken to lessen the impact on health and the environment due to changes that cannot be prevented through mitigation. Appropriate mitigation and adaptation strategies will positively affect both climate change and the environment, and thereby positively affect human health. Some adaptation activities will directly improve human health through changes in our public health and health care infrastructure.

It is critical that adaptation and mitigation decisions and policies be developed with a sound basis in the best current science on climate change and its effects.

For too long the alarming impact of climate change on health has been ignored by the world’s leaders, despite repeated warnings from physicians across the globe.

We know, for instance, that extreme weather events such as droughts and floods will lead to deaths and increased illnesses, changing the patterns of infectious diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, zika and malaria.

Warnings have also been given about increasing water shortages and water-borne diseases, and in a world where health inequality is profound, these changes will only make matters worse. It is vital for a comprehensive agreement to include a fair mechanism to address climate change loss and damage in all its forms around the world, including through the appropriate valuation of health.

The Paris agreement must take into account the social determinants of health, as climate change threatens many of them, from clean air, food and water security, to safe shelter and secure livelihoods. It must also include provision for fostering the transition to clean and renewable energy.

Dr Rosmond Adams is a medical doctor and a public health specialist. He may be emailed at adamsrosmond@gmail.com