Your health and climate change

Climate change refers to the shifts in the earth’s climate and weather systems due to an imbalance in the carbon levels in our atmosphere. According to the World HealthOrganisation (W.H.O), climate change affects the social and environmental determinants of health, namely clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food and secure shelter. Reducing emissions of greenhouse gases through better choices of energy-use, transport, food we can significantly improve our health outcomes. One notable way of reducing carbon emissions is to use solar panels in your homes and businesses. If you are a homeowner living in the U.S you are in luck because you can get the world's best solar panels installed on your home for $0 down payment. 

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How solar panels reduce climate change

Increase in greenhouse gas emissions is primarily due to human activities such as burning of fossil fuels to obtain energy. Solar panels utilise the energy from the sun instead of burning fossil fuels. Electricity generated by solar panels can replace or supplement that provided by your utility company. Not only will you make hefty savings on your electricity bill, you will be contributing to saving hundreds of thousands of lives in additional deaths per year, malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea all due to climate change. If you live in the United States

Effects of climate change on health

The overall effects of climate change on health are overwhelmingly negative according to the W.H.O. Extreme heat caused by climate change contribute significantly to increased deaths from cardiovascular diseases especially among the elderly. The levels of pollen and other air-borne allergens increase due to extreme heat and this triggers or aggravates respiratory conditions such as asthma which afflicts millions of people all over the world.

Climate change increases exposure to vector borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever. The Aedes mosquito vector of dengue and the Anopheles mosquito which transmit malaria are both highly sensitive to climate conditions. Climate change also widens significantly the geographical range of diseases transmitted through cold-blooded animals and snail-borne diseases such as Schistomiasis.

Climate change causes extreme weather conditions and rising sea levels. Since more than half of the world’s population live within the precinct of the sea, rising sea level is a major concern. Thousands of people are forced to abandon their homes for higher grounds. This in turn exposes them to a range of health conditions including communicable diseases. Resulting floods contaminate fresh water supplies and compromise hygiene. The risk of water-borne diseases such as cholera increases and the area becomes breeding ground for disease carrying insects such as mosquitos. Rising water levels also destroy homes, disrupts medical supplies and health services.

Paradoxically climate change can also cause drought in some geographical areas. This leads to water scarcity, drought and famine. Lack of access to safe drinking water increases the risk of diarrhoeal diseases. Drought and resulting water shortage leads to a decrease in the production of staple foods especially in poor areas.

How you can help

Although some people are more vulnerable than others, no one is spared from the adverse consequences of climate change. How can you help in reducing the impact of climate change? Power your home with renewable energy, invest in energy-efficient appliances, reduce water waste, buy better bulbs such as LED light bulbs, make your space more energy efficient by ensuring that it is adequately sealed to prevent drafts.