The urgency of the discussion around climate change – whether on the news, through protests and school strikes, or decisions that take place on the global stage – usually focuses on the environment. As it should. But there is also an important conversation to be had about the health impacts of climate change. With every environmental change, a myriad of health problems arise, with one recent example found in the devastating link between bushfire smoke and miscarriages.
These are five of the health problems to discuss when you’re talking about climate change – with the immediate and long-term effects explained.
Heat-Related Health Problems
It seems we hit record-breaking high temperatures every year. Extreme heat puts us at risk of obvious, immediate health implications: heat strokes, dehydration, and heat exhaustion. The risk is especially high in areas of high humidity, and for vulnerable people including the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions. How will our bodies fare when the experience of a heatwave, which is normally a few days, continues for longer and longer periods of time?
Allergies & Respiratory Issues
Hot weather can also increase the occurrence of allergies. Grassy land pollinates more efficiently in the heat, and combined with stronger summer winds, allergens can spread more easily. Extended periods of summer-like heat and wind caused by climate change could increase the already high rate of allergies in Australia.
And as arguably Australia’s most potent symbol of climate change, bushfires are already having a significant impact on our health. In the short-term, exposure to bushfire smoke triggers respiratory issues, exacerbates asthma, and irritates the eyes. The outcome for pregnant people can be devastating, with multiple cases of pregnancy loss connected to the 19/20 NSW bushfires.
Alarmingly, we still don’t know a lot about the long-term impacts of bushfire smoke, although this is currently being investigated by a research team from the University of Technology Sydney. Longer term damage to the lungs is a likely risk. Ongoing respiratory issues (that could be caused by extended exposure to bushfire smoke and low air quality) are also linked to higher risks of cardiovascular disease.
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Nutrition Deficiencies
Extreme weather changes are already disrupting crops for farmers worldwide. This is devastating for farmers, of course, but can create knock-on health problems for the rest of us too. In Australia, the drought results in smaller harvests and with less produce available to sell, the price of the food gets inflated. As the price continues to go up, fewer people can afford it… creating a food desert. Food deserts are areas where people have limited access to nutritional foods due to lower income levels or inaccessibility, and it’s already happening in Australia’s rural towns.
Without being able to meet their nutritional requirements, populations in these areas will have high cases of diabetes, obesity, heart disease and more health problems related to climate change.
Water, Sanitation & Infectious Diseases
Reduced access to clean water creates so many health problems. You’ll probably think of the more obvious impacts first: a lack of fresh drinking water, and increase in diseases spread by poor sanitation (like diarrhoea, one of the deadliest diseases in the world.)
But climate change links to disease in more surprising ways too. A recent report has claimed that as glaciers melt over time, they release viruses trapped in the ice for centuries. As we’ve seen with COVID-19, dealing with unpredictable and unexpected infectious disease outbreaks can have dire consequences.
Anxiety & Mental Health
‘Eco-anxiety’ is on the rise; the uncertainty about the future, fear of climate change-related natural disasters, and lack of action in addressing them, has amplified the likelihood of depression and anxiety amongst people. It’s particularly a concern for younger generations, who fear inhabiting a world that forces them to survive rather than thrive. Research into the impact of climate change on mental health is ongoing, with studies suggesting an increase in mood disorders, aggressive behaviours and suicide is also linked.
Just as we base climate crisis decision-making on the impact to the environment we live in, we should place equal importance to the health problems it will – and is already – creating for Australians and the global population.
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