How climate change is making us sick

Syeda Umama
3 min readJun 13, 2023

The biggest threat for humans in today’s world is neither world war nor global recession. It is climate change. There are severe climate changes across the world these days. Wildfires in Canada, heavy rainfall, and floods in Asian countries. Europe is also facing natural hazards like heat waves, heavy storms, and drought. Turkey and Syria earthquakes are also alarming situations.

Photo by Joshua Woroniecki on Unsplash

According to the World Health Organization between 2030 to 2050, around 250,000 deaths are expected due to hunger, malaria, and heat strokes only.

It becomes worse when people don’t have enough food, clean water, and health facilities in their reach.

Different diseases are flourishing due to climate change such as

1. Increased risk of Vector-Borne Diseases

Climate change is causing changes in the distribution and behavior of insects and other vectors that carry diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and Lyme disease. As temperature rises, these vectors are able to survive in new areas, increasing the risk of disease transmission.

2. Increased risk of Waterborne Diseases

Climate change is also affecting the quality and availability of water. As temperature rises, water sources can become contaminated with harmful bacteria and other pathogens, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever.

3. Increased Heat-Related Illness

As the planet warms, we are experiencing more frequent and intensive heat waves. Extreme temperatures can cause different health issues like Sunstroke, fainting, and heat exhaustion. These situations can be life-threatening, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.

4. Increased Air Pollution

Climate change is also contributing to increased air pollution. This can lead to Respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, and lung cancer. Air pollution can also exacerbate existing health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.

5. Mental Health Impacts

Climate change can also have significant impacts on mental health. Natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, and wildfires can cause trauma and stress, leading to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. Additionally, the uncertainty and fear associated with climate change can also contribute to mental health issues.

In conclusion, climate change is having a significant impact on human health all around the world. The effects of climate change are far-reaching and potentially life-threatening. It is high time that we take action to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect the health of our planet and its inhabitants.

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

As Barak Obama says

“We are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change and the last generation that can do something about it.”

If you have any suggestions, feel free to comment below.

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Syeda Umama

I write about health, self-care, travel and education.