Climate change affects more than the weather
Election Day will be here before we know it. There are many issues we each may feel are important when making our vote. One issue I hope you will consider is climate change. While each of us may work towards minimizing our impact on the environment, without all levels of government enacting some laws, we will not be able to make a significant difference. If the scientific models are correct, and at this point, we have no reason to think they aren’t, public health officials say climate change will impact us in many ways:
The U.N. is expecting negative impacts on food security due to reduced crop yields, increased crop losses, and decreased nutrient content. These issues will be due to water shortages, excessive heat, and increases in plant diseases, and all will lead to higher food prices and/or scarcity.
Heat waves are already becoming more frequent, longer lasting and hotter, and this trend will continue. According to the CDC, heat is the leading weather-related killer of people and causes heat related illnesses including dehydration, heat exhaustion and kidney stones.
Wildfires cause health issues for those with asthma or COPD. You do not have to live near the wildfires to be impacted as we have seen from smoke that has traveled to Connecticut from Canadian wildfires.
Flooding causes deaths and injuries and increases the likelihood of waterborne diseases. Both wildfires and flooding cause property and economic damage and displace people from their communities. Insurance companies are already increasing premiums or discontinuing coverage because of fires and flooding.
Higher levels of carbon dioxide in the air are beneficial to plants which will release more pollen, negatively impacting those with asthma or allergies. Some plants use more carbon dioxide than others. One of those that is local is poison ivy, so we will also see more poison ivy and rashes.
Warmer weather will also extend the season and ranges of some stinging insects as well as ticks, mosquitos and rodents all of which can carry diseases such Lyme disease, malaria, and hantavirus to name a few.
Climate Refugees are people who have been forced to leave their homes because of the effects of climate change.
Based on previous disasters, researchers have seen increases in mental health issues after the disaster or because of displacement including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidality. Disasters may trigger large numbers of people to relocate, which causes stress to established populations. Climate change studies are showing increases in self-inflicted and interpersonal violence, including armed conflict. And the U.S. Department of Defense has warned that climate change could lead to instability and conflict.
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