According to the CNN report issued on July 16, 2019, recent flooding across South Asia has caused more than 100 deaths; affecting six million people.
The recent rains in Pakistan flooded Lahore city and paralysed everyday routine of the city. Climate Change is a wicked problem, which is insensitive to geographical boundaries and various areas of human life. Lack of serious efforts and commitment to mitigate climate change effects is leading to grave results; threatening human lives
The alarming dangers of climate change for humans can be seen in the health sector. Climate change is the cause of the spread of many diseases affecting millions of people in the world. According to World Health Organization Report “Climate Change and Health (2018),” climate change affects the social and environmental determinants of health: clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food and secure shelter.
Every year, climate change-led floods are targeting many countries. These floods not only destroy infrastructure but also give birth to water-borne diseases.
Malaria is one of the main diseases, which finds more appropriate conditions to spread after floods. Dengue fever is also caused by a special kind of mosquito the Aedes mosquito, which nurtures in stagnant water. This favourable condition for dengue is normally available after devastating floods in developing countries. According to a research report published in International Journal of Mosquitoes in 2017, titled, “Epidemiology of Dengue in Pakistan, Present Prevalence and Guidelines for Future Control,” stated that the highest number of dengue cases were reported in Pakistan in 2010 and 2013.
These years faced devastating floods in the history of Pakistan. Similarly, droughts and famines are direct results of less rainfall and consequences of climate change, challenging the lives and health of the human being. According to Capacities Assessment Project 2016, more than 190 children have died and 22,000 have been hospitalised in Tharparkar district in 2016 because of drought-related waterborne and viral diseases.
Climate Change is a wicked problem, which is insensitive to geographical boundaries and various areas of human life
The disturbed and unusual rain patterns contaminate freshwater causing diseases like diarrhoea. According to the World Health Organisation 2018, a lack of safe water can compromise hygiene and increase the risk of diarrhoeal disease, which kills over 500 000 children aged under 5 years, every year.
Currently, the whole of Europe is facing severe heatwave. The World Metrological Department declared 2019 was on track to be among the world’s hottest years, and 2015-2019 would be the hottest five-year period on record. The heatwaves also cause many health issues like dehydration, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
Smog is another challenge being faced by the world due to climate change. Smog is one of the major issues being faced by many cities in South Asia like Lahore, Delhi, Dhaka, and Khatmandu. Smog also creates many health problems that include skin, respiratory and eye diseases.
All these health issues caused by climate change, have created health emergency which requires collective efforts at the international, national, local and individual level. First of all, its important to understand climate change led to health issues at all levels. It needs both mitigation and adaptation strategies to effectively manage these issues. The actions are required to reduce carbon emission, increasing forest cover, use of efficient and climate-friendly technology. Health departments must be allocated budgets to be utilized in emergencies caused by climate prone disasters. The climate change-related health issues should be included in the curriculum at the primary and secondary level. The timings of schools and offices should be adjusted according to new climate patterns. Parents and citizen must be educated about dietary requirements and precautionary measures required during climate-related disasters like smog and heatwave. The departments related to disaster management must take into account climate change disasters, health issues created by them and develop their strategies accordingly. The developing countries face budgetary constraints to deal with health emergencies caused by climate change. The developed countries should provide modern technology, expertise and aid to developing countries specifically for climate change-related health issues.
The writer is a student of the Masters of Public Policy at the University of Oxford