Climate Change and Health - Smeh Beautytips

What is Climate Change?

Climate change is a change in weather patterns found in a particular region. This can range from how much rainfall per year to a rise in temperature for a month or season.

Climate change doesn't only relate to changes in weather but it's also a change in the Earth's climate found in a place. This includes a change in the Earth's usual condition and varying the possibility of where rain and snow normally fall on the Earth.

Changes in weather patterns can be for a few hours but it takes hundreds or even millions of years to change the climate.

Causes of climate change

1. Green House Effects

Greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation and stop them from escaping into space. This trap of heat radiations forms a warming blanket around the Earth and this process is known as the greenhouse effect - the main cause of climate change. Carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, methane, and nitrous oxide are some examples of greenhouse gases.

Humans and natural factors contribute to the production of Greenhouse gases. Chlorofluorocarbons are only produced by human activity as well as burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases into the air. Some greenhouse gases are also naturally existing in the atmosphere such as carbon dioxide and methane.

Most of the short-wave radiation from the sun absorbs by the Earth and after that, it emits longer-wavelength infrared radiation. Some of them are absorbed by greenhouse gases which cause the atmosphere to radiate heat in all directions - resulting in heating up the planet.

Greenhouse gases are absolutely vital for our survival, however, the industrial revolution piling them up in the atmosphere and causing more heat at a much faster rate rather than keeping the Earth at a stable temperature which results in global warming and natural disasters.

2. Climate Change Caused by Humans

Today carbon dioxide is more than ever in the atmosphere and it is raised by 40% during 20th and 21st centuries.  Following are the different ways that contribute to producing greenhouse gases by humans.

Fossil Fuels

Oil, gas, and coal are natural resources that have been deposited in the ground for many years. Now we're taking them out and burning them which releases carbon dioxide. Also, car engines burn oil that produces carbon dioxide, and all these emissions form a warming layer around the Earth.

Agriculture

Farming and planting crops is another leading cause of greenhouse gases. Animals produce methane and this gas is 30 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. The use of fertilisers can have a worse impact as they contain nitrous oxide which is almost 300 times stronger than carbon dioxide, however, this can be improved by using high-quality feed and no-till farming.

Cement

The most widely used man-made material is the major culprit in producing greenhouse gases. Eight percent of our entire carbon dioxide emission is caused by it. 

Deforestation

Trees are 'carbon sinks' as they absorb carbon through their leaves and convert them into carbohydrates for their growth. They store carbon that stays inside them as long as they survive; this could be for decades or centuries.

Cutting trees slower the process of carbon removal from the atmosphere and burning them releases 'stored carbon into the air.

Pollution on the Sea

Greenhouse gases have even a disastrous effect on the seas. Our seas are absorbing carbon dioxide and becoming more acidic. This environment is lethal enough for the habitat of many species to falter in their existence. 

Oil spills, plastics, sewage, rubbish dumping, coal-burning power plant, and industrial and agricultural runoff are some of the crucial starting points of pollution in the sea.

3. Climate Change Caused by Nature

Milankovitch Cycles

As we know, the earth revolves around the sun, and by doing so it slightly changes its path and tilts from its axis. This natural process is known as the Milankovitch cycle and in this cycle, the amount of sunlight falling on the earth is affected by the earth's movement. However, this cycle takes place over thousands of years and is unlikely a cause of today's global warming.

Solar Irradiance

The changes in the sun's energy had little effect on the earth in the past. The impact of rising in solar energy is the warming of the earth's atmosphere but we have only seen these changes in the bottom layer. This natural cause is also not a reason for the present scenario of global warming.

El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO)

In the pacific ocean, water temperature changes periodically. In this, there is a pattern of changing global temperature due to El Nino and la Nina years. El Nino year increases the global temperature while La Nina year decreases it.

Volcano Eruption

Volcano eruption cools down the earth and releases carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide can be a reason for warming up the global temperature but it is 50 times less than humans do.

Impact of Climate Change on Health

Air Pollution

The large volume of emissions from automobiles and industrial activities is a major problem in recent decades. Air pollution makes the air less healthy to breathe and diabolically affects human health and the environment.

When two primary pollutants react in sunlight and stagnant air they form a secondary pollutant known as ground-level ozone. Ground-level ozone contributes to many health problems including lung infection, premature deaths, ventricular hypertrophy, autism, psychological complications, retinopathy and emergency asthma cases. 

There are several reports that associate a direct link between health and air quality. The long term exposure to poor-quality air increases the chances of morbidity and mortality rates mostly because of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Millions of death globally are linked to air pollution each year.

Allergens and Pollen

Climate change terribly leads to a longer pollen season and a higher concentration level. This situation increases the affecting rate of pollen and other allergens; causing more people to suffer and develop more health issues.

Hay fever is one of the symptoms of pollen exposure and allergic reaction. Conjunctivitis can also be developed and its symptoms include red, watery, and itchy eyes. Also, people having respiratory problems like asthma are sensitive to exposure and an increase in hospital admission is administered during the season.

Infectious Diseases

Global warming changes the distribution and intensity of transmission of mosquito-borne infectious diseases. This includes malaria, Japanese encephalitis, dengue fever, and tick-borne encephalitis.

Food and Waterborne Diarrheal Disease

A variety of pathogens in water and food cause diarrhoea. Though it's a concern in developing countries, the United States has also a persistent apprehension about it. 

Climate change affects the rate of disease transmission because of the temperature of air and water, precipitation patterns, and extreme weather conditions including rainfall events, widespread flooding, snow melting, and seasonal variations.

Mental health and Stress-Related Disorders

Environmental catastrophe has dire consequences for many due to abnormal events. This impact on mental health can be short-lived or long-lasting. 

It's a global concern and in the united states, there is a rise in mental health cases because of extreme events like wildfire and hurricane Katrina. 

Depression and other mental illnesses may be aggravated during hot weather. Suicide rates are rising with high temperatures, suggesting a potential impact of climate change. Schizophrenia patients are at high risk because their medications might be interfered with by temperature regulations. Heatwaves may cause hospitalisation and death in people with dementia. 

To know if you are suffering from depression or anxiety, learn more about Depression and Anxiety: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment. Both NHS or Private healthcare for employees covers Mental healthcare plans. It costs around £150 -£400 for initial consultation or assessments. It may be covered by insurance or will be free of cost on NHS. Also, you can talk to a therapist online anonymously or choose betterhelp online counseling or a service of your choice.

Wildfire

Global warming is increasing the vulnerability of forests to wildfires. A period of prolonged high temperature is associated with droughts that drive a large, destructive fire that spreads quickly over woodlands.

Smoke caused by wildfire significantly reduces air quality that impacts the lungs and hearts of people living locally and in areas downwind of fires.

Floods

Severe flooding events are due to a rise in extreme and total precipitation. The IPCC has predicted that by the end of the century, Europe and UK are more likely to see rainfall events that increase the risk of widespread flooding. 

Flooding is also projected to increase in different U.S regions and is the second deadliest hazard related to climate change. In the United States, nearly 98 deaths per year are associated with drowning. Elevated waterborne disease outbreaks have been reported in affected regions along with moulding and poor air quality caused by water intrusion in buildings. The population living in the damp area are potentially at a high risk of developing asthma, and upper and lower respiratory tract symptoms - including coughing, wheezing and pneumonia.

Extreme Temperatures

The death rate dramatically increases during heat waves. Causes of death are heat stroke and related conditions but it also includes cardiovascular, respiratory diseases, and cerebrovascular disorders.

Melting glaciers are one of the reasons for flooding, habitat loss, destruction, and icebergs getting in the way of ships and boats. Tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, and extreme precipitation are disastrous events caused by extreme weather conditions.

Extreme hot weather is not the only sign of a global warming extreme cold is yet another. The sporadic extreme of hot and cold leave fossil fuel energy-rich areas facing unimaginable suffering that is harmful to the environment.

Impact of Climate Change on Skin

Climate change has triggered a variety of skin diseases. This includes eczema (inflammatory disorder), pemphigus (autoimmune blistering disorder) and infectious diseases such as Lyme disease which is also on the rise because of global warming. 

Skin cancer is on the rise worldwide and the potential risk of it is caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Over the last 25 years, malignant lesions have also risen which is the most serious form of skin cancer. It is highly recommended to wear suncream before going out on sunny days.

Impact of Climate Change on Hair

Hair and Beauty go side by side. Our skin and hair are sensitive to climate change. Direct exposure to sun rays damages cuticles and weakens strands while air pollution can be responsible for the damage of protein affecting hair growth and its retention. 

Dry cold weather dries up the scalp and causes dandruff, also an increase in humidity and pollution damage hair follicles resulting in hair breaking. 

What can be done?

It's absolutely vital that we change our ways before it's too late. Parts of Europe that used to be cooler are now experiencing intense searing heat and temperatures soar above the average every summer. By flying less we can reduce our carbon footprint and food miles. Even some airlines have schemes now for offsetting carbon emissions. This instance can help to protect the environment.

Most of the problems come from vehicle emissions and power stations. We can help the environment by buying a hybrid car, developing alternative energy sources for homes, solar heating for instance, and building more offshore wind farms.

Oil supplies will run dry within half a century so renewable energy can make a real difference. Governments shouldn't be afraid of introducing green taxes and incentives to encourage eco-friendly design in architecture. 

Learn more about Global Climate Change - Nasa

Greta Thunberg

One of the inspiring girls working exceptionally to aware people for climate change is Greta Thunberg - a young lady who inpires millions of people for her prudent behaviour towards environment. She is well known as the Swedish environmental activist who is pressuring world leaders to act quickly to mitigate climate change. 

When she was fifteen years old, she began her activism against climate change by refusing to go to school and holding a placard that said "School Strike for Climate" outside the Swedish parliament. Millions of kids all over the world were motivated by her to join the Fridays for Future organisation, which plans weekly school strikes and protests for climate justice. 

She has spoken at a number of international gatherings, including the UN Climate Change Conference in 2018 and the UN Climate Action Summit in 2019, where she is well known for her iconic "How dare you" to world leaders who have done nothing to address the climate catastrophe. 

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