Climate Change & Health

Health by Teens

Jun 15, 2021

13 min read

What is Climate Change?

Climate change is defined as long-term changes in global temperatures and other characteristics of the atmosphere. Due to the unbalance in the Earth’s weather, the sustainability of the planet’s ecosystems, the future of humankind, and the establishment of the global economy are at threat. Climate change can have an agonizing effect on humans. Between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year, from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea and heat stress alone! Most people in the US are worried about the climate crisis, but stay silent and inactive. However, Climate change is no doubt a people’s problem!

Climate Change and Human Health

The Climate crisis has never-ending unknown sides that may already have been affecting you. Human Health isn’t only the physical state of an individual. On the other hand, it’s the state of complete physical, psychological, and social well-being. Public health can be affected by disruptions of physical, biological, and ecological systems, including disturbances originating here and elsewhere. The health effects of climate change include increased respiratory and cardiovascular disease, injuries and premature deaths related to extreme weather events, changes in the prevalence and geographical distribution of food- and water-borne illnesses and other infectious diseases. It even causes threats to your mental health. Climate change affects the social and environmental determinants of health. These determinants include clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food, and secure shelter.

The Misconception on Climate Change

When you first think of climate change, images of cut-down trees and pollution come to mind. While this is a significant part of climate change, the climate crisis affects much more profound aspects of lives, societal dilemmas, and the outcome of the planet. The climate crisis is more interconnected to our lives than one may consider. For example, although climate change and racial injustice appear as two separate topics, they are highly connected, especially as the climate crisis progresses. There have already been reports on climate refugees (defined as people obligated to migrate due to climate circumstances such as sea-level rise, droughts, and extreme wealth catastrophes) starting to notice land changing since 1955. The climate crisis is not just an environmental problem, it's a people problem. A major misconception about the climate crisis is that it does not currently affect lives. However, an example of racial injustice with climate change that occurs is overheating in apartment buildings. In Richmond Virginia, starting as early as the 1920s, federal officials would “redline” (mark) areas as dangerous places to invest in due to these places containing People of Color (POC) residents. Due to this racial incentive, these areas are notably neglected, specifically when it comes to air conditioning. Heat strokes can cause life-threatening conditions. These include damage to the brain, heart, muscles, and kidneys, which need immediate treatment to prevent life-altering conditions and death. They are more likely to occur in apartments lacking air conditioning and in elders.

Furthermore, even when using a cost-effective solution such as fans, it can ironically make heated apartments more detrimental. Fans circulate the air in a room, hence in a heated room that is sealed and does not allow hot air to escape, the problem would worsen and enhance the chances of a heat stroke. The circulation of hot air is prevented by opening a window to let cooler air circulate. However, the general public presumes that doing so would make the fan less efficient. There is an effort into making these areas more health adverse, especially for older residences: painting the apartment roofs white to reflect sunlight. The most effective manner in managing racial injustice associated with climate change is solving the root of the problem, the climate crisis.

What about Air Quality?

Climate change has a detrimental impact on air quality.Global warming driven by climate change has the potential to increase ground-level ozone in many regions. The effect of ozone in the atmosphere is mainly responsible for the gradual warming of the planet. Furthermore, particulate matter is a type of air pollutant. Particulate matter is known to have either warming or cooling effects on the climate. For example, black carbon, a particulate matter, contributes to warming the planet while particulate sulfates cool the atmosphere. Some of the most common toxicants emitted during gas or coal incineration are mercury, lead, dioxins, and benzene. Greenhouse gases cause rising sea levels, harsher weather, heat-related fatalities, and increased transmission of infectious diseases like Lyme by trapping the planet's heat in the atmosphere. According to a 2014 EPA study, carbon dioxide was responsible for 81 percent of America's total greenhouse gas emissions, and methane made up 11 percent. Air pollution has an extensive impact on the health of organisms. Animals can develop health problems when exposed to high levels of air toxicity for an extended period. According to studies, air toxicants are associated with birth abnormalities, reproductive failure, and sickness in animals. People exposed to high enough quantities of such air contaminants may develop respiratory problems such as wheezing, chest tightness, worsening of long-term conditions like asthma, breathing difficulties, and more. Long-term air pollution exposure can also cause cancer and damage to the different bodily systems and can be fatal in extreme circumstances.

Extreme Weather Events

Extreme weather events such as increasingly frequent excessive heat, precipitation, intense storms, and droughts are affecting people’s health in many unfortunate ways. With higher temperatures comes heat waves which are more likely to occur more often and last longer. These heat waves can be hazardous to our health because they can cause illnesses such as heat cramps and heat stroke, or even death. As a result of these conditions and many more, death and hospitalizations can occur remarkably quickly or several days later. This can drive an acceleration in death and illnesses. There has been an increase in forest fires, droughts, floods, tornados, and other natural disasters. Flooding due to storms can lead to the health risk of drowning. After such an event, it can cause water-borne diseases and toxic contamination. Droughts can cause various types of malnutrition which include undernutrition, protein-energy nutrition, and micro-nutrient deficiencies. Malnutrition increases the risk of obtaining and dying from an infectious disease. This is exhibited in Africa as the spread of meningitis is related to climate and drought conditions. In addition, droughts can also cause dust storms that are a danger to one’s respiratory health. Additionally, water-washed illnesses become more common as the lack of water makes washing and hygiene an obstacle.

A Story of Climate Refugees

Isle de Charles was once home to a Native American tribe known as Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw. He lived in an island that used to be rich in trees but now is just saltwater. Since 1955, only two percent of the island has remained due to the rising sea levels submerging the land. The still-remaining residents are known to be America’s first climate refugees. It can be complex for these residents to commute to indispensable resources such as a hospital. This is not the only solitary example of upcoming climate refugees. There is an expected number of around 13 million climate refugees in the United States by the end of this century. Seventeen more communities are already facing the obstacle of climate relocations. Relocation itself can be very financially challenging. In recent years, the Isle de Jean Charles Resettlement Project aims to become the first project that relocates the remaining ninety-nine of its residents. However, the project is said to cost 48 million dollars to relocate the ninety-nine people. Furthermore, after two years of the project commences, it remained in its planning stages with no vast efforts, like finding a place to relocate said refugees, completed.

Higher risk of Vector-Borne Diseases

Climate change is one of the main factors that play a role in the distribution of diseases borne by vectors like fleas, ticks, mosquitoes that spread pathogens that get you sick. Shifts in the climate can alter disease incidence depending on vector-host interaction, host immunity, and pathogen evolution. This means people are at risk of numerous diseases that can be a threat to health. Two examples include Lyme disease and West Nile Virus.

- Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. Lyme disease. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash referred as erythema migrans. Furthermore, the infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system if left untreated. Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings like rash, and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks. Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics. Some steps to prevent Lyme disease include using insect repellent, removing ticks promptly, applying pesticides, and reducing tick habitat. However, with climate change, there is more daily, seasonal, or year-to-year climate variability. This can result in vector/pathogen adaptation and shifts or expansions in their geographic range. Recent estimates using other methods suggest that approximately “476,000 people may get Lyme disease each year in the United States,” states the CDC.

- West Nile Virus (WNV) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the United States. The most common way to inherit WNV is by the bite of an infected mosquito. Most cases of WNV occur during mosquito season, which starts in the summer and continues through fall. However, Climate change is extending these seasons, putting more people at risk. There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV in people. A changing climate can directly impact the geographical distribution of vector-borne diseases. This can also increase a result of trade with, and travel to, tropical and subtropical areas.

Water and food stability

There is no doubt that climate change has been linked to water and food-related illnesses. Research shows how water-borne illnesses have become more common due to increased precipitation, storm surges, and sea temperatures. These environmental factors contribute to flooding and runoff that can spread sewage, disease agents, and chemicals. Climate change is known for deforestation as forests are being cut down to be used for agricultural purposes. Herbicides and fertilizers being used wind up contaminating water and even our food like fruits and vegetables. Roundup, a herbicide used to kill weeds, has been linked to cancer in which courts uphold $25.2 million in damage. Climate change favors the growth, survival, and spread of bacteria, viruses, and toxins created by harmful algae. As a result, more people will likely be exposed to water-borne illnesses through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. Furthermore, consumption of contaminated fish and shellfish. Food safety is a common topic of discussion as there is evidence linking increasing temperatures to higher incidences of infections by several pathogens such as Salmonella and Campylobacter in different parts of the world in our food, especially meats like chicken. Extreme precipitation events have been linked to increased levels of pathogens in treated drinking water, and cases of gastrointestinal illness in children and the elderly. The intersection of flooding and a higher temperature is likely to transport pathogens in recreational water.

Some examples of illness include virus like Hepatitis A can cause debilitating symptoms like diarrhea. It can also cause acute liver failure, which is associated with high mortality. Poisonings like Ciguatera fish poisoning and Paralytic Shellfish. CFP is strongly influenced by climate and is frequently reported in humans, it results in nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, pain or the sense of loose teeth, itching, and blurred vision. Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning is the most common and more severe form of shellfish poisoning. Symptoms include numbness, tingling sensation on the body, headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. A large dose of the toxin may lead to catastrophic results like a respiratory failure.

How does climate change affect your Mental Health?

The climate crisis is more than what meets the eye it can have a huge impact on your mental stability. Mental health is “the foundation for the well-being and effective functioning of individuals'', as stated by the World Health Organization. In other words, it's crucial to maintain your mental health for prosperity in everyday life. Even the term eco-anxiety has seen an uprise in popularity. The Climate Crisis may be something that goes directly against the path to maintaining your mental health. Moreover, with the worsening effects climate change has on our planet, the possibility of it affecting your and your loved ones' mental health increases drastically.

You may be thinking, “the impacts of climate change aren’t extreme, so I will be fine.” However, a survey in 2019 supported by the American Psychiatric Association showed that up to 48% of Americans believe that climate change has already impacted their mental well-being. There is an abundance of mental health disorders related to the climate crisis that may end up being chronic and detrimental. Flooding or droughts have been prone to causing high anxiety levels, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression. Furthermore, with climate catastrophes comes the loss of loved ones, losing your home and connection to your community, or even your job can lead to having trauma that magnifies anxiety and depression. Severe environmental changes have been correlated to behavioral changes, such as violent and aggressive behavior. With extreme heat comes a rise in alcohol abuse, hospital admissions that are related to mental conditions, and even an increase in the suicide rate. Poor air quality is associated with an accelerated risk of having schizophrenia, personality disorders, and anxiety. With the negative effects of the Climate Crisis And worsening progressively, mental health support is more and more needed.

It's not necessary to live through a climate disaster for it to impact your mental health. People are compassionate creatures, especially with those who are closest to us. The act of watching or reading the news about the many climate catastrophes can drive the start or increase in “anxiety, depression, secondary trauma, and other psychological conditions,” according to Yale Climate Connections. Demographics that have already consisted of people with psychological conditions that are already present are at more prominent risk of decreasing their mental state due to the Climate Crisis. The progression of the Climate Crisis caused children to have a higher chance of developing phobias, substance abuse, PTSD, depression, anxiety, sleeping disorders, and attachment disorders.

How to Manage Eco-Stress

1. Be conscious about how you feel and talk about it: Having climate-related anxiety (exo-anxiety) is a natural response. The first step in improving it is talking it out! The climate crisis is a problem that affects every Earth resident and is best solved together. Talking it out will provide you with a support system and allow you to do actions as a community to better our outcomes in the Climate Crisis.

2. Engage Your Community: Having the support of your community will enable you to reap the benefit of a healthier mental state. It further allows you to aid in solving the root of the problem-climate change. Research conducted during hurricane season in Florida showed communities that were the most engaged in aiding their situation were the ones with the least mental anguish after the hurricanes.

3. Take action!: Doing actions that are beneficial for the environment and your community is known to provide health benefits. It lowers the feeling of hopelessness about the Climate Crisis.

Personal anecdote:

“In my experience, I grew up in a very hot city, which was relatively close to a cold city in the mountains. My city was called Maracaibo, and it was common that people were more aggressive and explosive even at small things. On the contrary, people from Merida (the cold city) had fame for being polite and calm. The differences went to the extent that in some places in Merida they wouldn't accept people from my city because of our personalities.” - Greta Perez.

Who is at risk?

All populations will be affected by climate change, but some are more vulnerable than others. In other words, not everyone is equally at risk. There are crucial factors like age, economic resources, and location in regards to the effect that climate change has on individuals. People living in small island developing states and other coastal regions, megacities, and mountainous and polar regions are particularly vulnerable due to the direct effects of weather like drought, rising sea levels, and higher temperature. Children, especially from poor backgrounds, are among the most vulnerable to the resulting health risks and will be exposed longer to the health consequences. The health effects are more severe for the elderly and people with pre-existing medical conditions. Areas with weak health infrastructure like developing countries are also at risk as they will be the least able to cope without assistance to prepare and respond.

How to prevent the effects of Climate Change!

Advocate!

The best way to make a difference is to talk to your friends and peers about the effect of climate change. By voicing your concerns through social media and educating yourself through informative text you are making a difference. You can get in direct contact with elected officials by sending a message that you care about the warming world. Furthermore, encourage Congress to enact new laws that limit carbon emissions and require polluters to pay for the emissions they produce. You want to be an advocate.

Invest in energy-efficient appliances!

Efficiency standards for dozens of appliances and products have kept 2.3 billion tons of carbon dioxide out of the air. That’s about the same amount as the annual carbon pollution coughed up by nearly 440 million cars. When shopping for refrigerators, washing machines, and other appliances, aim to buy energy-efficient products.

Reduce water waste!

Saving water can help because it takes a lot of energy to pump, heat, and treat your water. So take shorter showers, turn off the tap while brushing your teeth. The EPA estimates around 100 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year would be saved if one out of every 100 American homes were retrofitted with water-efficient fixtures. This would avoid 80,000 tons of global warming pollution.

Eat less meat and eat the food you buy!

Did you know that 10 percent of U.S. energy use goes into growing, processing, packaging, and shipping food that about 40 percent of which just winds up in the landfill? And since livestock products are among the most resource-intensive to produce, eating meat-free meals can make a big difference, too. For example, cows produce a surplus of greenhouse gases by decreasing the amount you can save the Earth.

Avoid buying from fast fashion companies!

Fast fashion refers to an approach to clothing design, creation, and marketing that emphasizes getting the newest trends from catwalks to consumers as quickly and cheaply as possible. Factories dedicated to fast fashion have contributed to environmental danger because of the population created from them. Fast fashion takes part in one of the largest threats we are facing today, climate change. The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of all global carbon emissions! According to estimates, this amount is expected to skyrocket by 60% in the next decade. Furthermore, fast fashion is known for its unfair labor and working conditions.

Organizations

Environmental Working Group (EWG), United States

EWG researches how consumer products impact human health and the environment. A wide range of experts at the EWG makes it easier for consumers to understand the environmental impact of the purchased products.

Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), Europe

HEAL works to shape laws and policies that protect planetary and health and raise awareness about the benefits of mitigating climate change. Their goal is to create a toxic-free, decarbonized, and climate-resilient future. They have over 90 member organizations, representing 200 million people across the 53 countries in the European region.

Climate Museum, United States

The Climate Museum is the first museum in the United States located in New York City they are dedicated to the climate crisis. The Climate Museum aims to inspire learning, dialogue, and action. Their mission is to inspire action on the climate crisis with programming across the arts and sciences that deepens understanding, builds connections, and advances the search for solutions.

Researchers: Catherine Osorio, Luniva Joshi, Dona Shebeen, Lhawrencelie Balatbat, Gia Daguizan, Jeffrey Chen, Mireya Landaverde, Juancho Pancho, Kelly Herrera Villavicencio and Arely Cuahutle

Writers: Ayushi Patel, Catherine Osorio, Dona Shebeen, Katherine Logrono, and Kelly Herrera Villavicencio

Editors: Kelly Herrera Villavicencio, Catherine Osorio, Roma Patel, and Ethan Rodriguez

Graphic Designers: Catherine Osorio, Luniva Joshi, and Audrey Dequito

Works Cited

“Air Quality and Climate Change Research.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 26 May 2021, www.epa.gov/air-research/air-quality-and-climate-change-research.

“Climate and Health Program.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 21 Apr. 2021, www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/default.htm.

“Climate Change and Health.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-and-health.

“Climate Change Is Threatening Air Quality across the Country.” Climate Central, 30 July 2019, www.climatecentral.org/news/climate-change-is-threatening-air-quality-across-the-country-2019.

“Climate Change: Meaning, Definition, Causes, Examples And Consequences.” Youmatter, 27 Apr. 2020, youmatter.world/en/definition/climate-change-meaning-definition-causes-and-consequences/.

Constance, Cheron, et al. “36 Organizations Working to Reverse Climate Change.” Food Tank, 21 Oct. 2020, foodtank.com/news/2020/10/36-organizations-helping-solve-the-climate-crisis/.

“Diseases Carried by Vectors.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 21 Dec. 2020, www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/effects/vectors.htm.

Harrington, Samantha. “How Climate Change Affects Mental Health " Yale Climate Connections.” Yale Climate Connections, 1 Apr. 2021, yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/02/how-climate-change-affects-mental-health/.

“Higher Temperatures.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, archive.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/impacts/signs/temperature.html#:~:text=Higher%20temperatures%20mean%20that%20heat,other%20changes%20around%20the%20world.

July 17, 2017 Melissa Denchak. “How You Can Stop Global Warming.” NRDC, 10 May 2021, www.nrdc.org/stories/how-you-can-stop-global-warming.

Usgcrp. The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment, 4 Apr. 2016, health2016.globalchange.gov/.