Call4climate: climate change and health effect

Climate varies according to the distance from the Earth's equator. It changes over long timeframe.  Today, Climate is changing; our planet is warming quickly than never before, Global warming is causing Earth's average temperature to increase. The consequences of climate change as rising temperature, changes in precipitation, and rising sea level has greatest impact on human health.

This year turned out to be the hottest ever recorded, scientist is reporting globally. Hotter days can include health problems such as dizziness, headache and fainting but heat stroke is more severe and requires medical treatment. Body temperature rises, skin dries and person gets unconscious. According to Nick Watts, the head of the commission, “Climate Change has the potential to undermine the last 50 years of advancements in public health.”

Every year average of 688 deaths occurs only due to extreme heat (center for disease control). Central Asia is currently experiencing of one of the hottest heat-waves ever recorded. This year in India, heat wave caused death of more than 2500 people and 1200 in Pakistan. In the wake of temperatures above 46 degrees Celsius last week, Iraq had to declare a 4 day national holiday. Meanwhile, temperatures in neighboring Iran reached a relative temperature of 74 Celsius.

Catherine Thomassan, Executive Director of Physicians for Social Responsibility has said  Climate Change as “the greatest threat to public health in the 21st Century”.

Due to unpredictable weather, intense rainfall, dry monsoon is causing various climatic disasters such as landslide, flood, GLOF etc. Loss in biodiversity as a result of climate change, decrease in crop yields, droughts, wildfire leading to deforestation which helps in absorbing excess of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Thus, perpetuating cycle in which warmer temperature wreak atmospheric havoc. This as a result is also threat to epidemic diseases in developing countries.

EL NINO has developed in Pacific Ocean and has made ocean stood up its sea level as warmer water expands to fill volume. Sea level is naturally higher in 15-20 inches near Indonesia than Ecuador which in difference is due to the tropical trade wind that blows from east to west across Pacific Ocean pilling water near Asia. With rising sea levels, salt water can seep into groundwater tables and mix in the drinking water supply, and can also displace populations in low-lying areas.

As a result, worst disaster hitting in Myanmar's history and the Middle East this week which has affected many lives. Barack Obama has planned to come together with world’s leading health experts and support as they claim "Climate Change may pose the biggest health risk of the 21st Century". His plan is just not to overcome the long term effect of climate change but also to reduce pollution from coal-fired plants.

The impact of Climate Change has not sidelined Nepal at any cost. Nepal is 4^th most vulnerable to Climate Change in world according to maplecroft, 2011. According to its diverse geographical variation, impact of Climate Change is different with geographic variations.

The climatic variation, socioeconomic and cultural environment are considered as major contributing factor happening the CVD occurrence according to IPCC assessment report on climate change risk on human health.

Climate Change is associated with increases in the frequency of heat waves. Wealthy countries are more likely adapt to Climate Change related disaster than poor countries. Even less economically fortune population suffer more because they are less likely to have facilities of air conditioning and insulated homes.  Coping mechanisms and poor quality housing are likely to confer further vulnerability on people with mental health problems. Some people are more vulnerable to illness such as infants, elderly people and cannot with stand hot temperature and poor air quality. Indirect consequences of climate change, such as migration and economic collapse, are potential drivers of adverse health outcomes in Nepal.

In Nepal, Every year, many people die and thousands become homeless and suffer from various diseases and injuries due to sudden occurrence of disasters.  Last year in monsoon Bardia district experienced worst flood in 6 decades in mid- western part of Nepal which submerged more than 1000 houses in Guleriya. On 18 April 2014, an avalanche on Mount Everest near Everest Base Camp killed sixteen Nepalese guides and the death toll from the unexpected storm in Annapurna , appeared to be more than 30.

Nepal has already faced tragedy on 25^th April, as it was hit by 7.8 magnitude earthquake. Alive but affected people are being helped by nation, individuals and internationally. But Nepal being agricultural dependent country, people are facing terrible situation due to EL NINO phenomenon as a result the daily living and economic source of people "agricultural land" are left barren because of less, intense but short period rainfall. Besides, after earthquake in Taplejung landslide killed 53 people and Nepal is yet to face 6000 landslides in monsoon according to experts.

Waterborne diseases emerge after the too much or too little water. Water scarcity results in poor sanitation and much of the population can be exposed to contaminated water.  In a recent 2009 epidemic of diarrhea and cholera in mid-western Nepal more than 200 people lost their life. Drought, excess rainfall and flooding can also contribute to epidemics of waterborne infectious diseases.

These are just the example of consequences the changing climate in health but what about the health effects that is caused by the climate change causing agents , GHG 's. Sunlight, warm air and pollution from power plants, coal gasoline and vehicles combines to produce ground level ozone known as smog. Which exposure is harmful to human health and is experienced as poor air quality. Smoggy climate is chief conductive environment for diseases infection. The outdoor air pollutants have been exceeding the national ambient air quality in most of the cities of Nepal and similar situation of indoor air quality is observed in rural part, mentioned in journal of Nepal health research council. According to a study about 47% rural and 39% urban women and 31% rural and 45% urban men are suffering from respiratory disorders. The main cause for it was rural women and urban men are more exposed to polluted environment whereas urban women are less exposed to such pollution. People who are living in poor air quality are greater risk from poor air quality days in the future.

All Countries are concerned towards December, COP 21 summits where every country is going to commit to reduce emission rate at its best by mitigation and adaptation approach. As Obama announced that the USA is now taking “unprecedented action” to combat climate change, he also noted that “no challenge poses a greater threat to our future and future generations than a change in climate”. .

Nepal is very rich in natural resources and knowledge which are the source to combat negative effects of climate change but due to political instability Nepal is still not progressing.  Nepal should address Climate change issue in the national level policy which can be applied at different public and private sectors in carrying out the mitigation practices. Promoting research on climate change and human health can help to mitigate the possible harms of climate change. There is need of research on vectors found in different altitudinal and geographical variations; in addition the programs should be strengthened in hilly and mountains regions.

Government must be able in creating a friendly environment and co-ordination within international and national non-governmental organization and stakeholders including individual to sort out the climate change induced health problems.  Health workers, organization, government should be trained and prepared for the emergency response activity for disasters.  

To reduce the rate of deforestation which is a key approach of adaptation and mitigation, Nepal came with concept of community forest has to be empowered more to reduce the rate of deforestation. With rapid unplanned urbanization Nepal should have water supply system in systematic manner for supply of clean and safe drinking water. Variations in climate and erratic rainfall with extreme climatic events have affected the food productivity since many years. High concentration of carbon dioxide and warmer temperature in atmosphere stimulates some plants to grow faster and produce more allergens. The most common and chronic diseases that can lead to lower productivity. 

As neighboring country India is all set for 2020 to build smart city along with many other countries are prepared. Nepal government should come forward with plans, action and policies according to countries need and demand for Paris summit.

In case of health issue in long term mitigation is the solution to eliminate the effects of climate change but for instant solution adaptation strategies must be developed in order to overcome these effects of climatic disaster. However the cost of coping with health risk linked to climate change are higher but better planning, strategies, policy, investment can help communities become more resilient in warming world.  

Published on : http://www.myrepublica.com/opinion/story/26053/cause-and-effect.html