By: Amal Lahlafi (AIWA of Rabat)
There is no doubt that we are all exposed to serious threats due to the continuous rise in temperature on our planet. This statement indicates the horror and fear of the upcoming repercussions of global warming. According to some experts and scientists, that is the reality we all have to admit to and thus face courageously. So the questions are: To what extent is the constant variability in weather menacing all living creatures on earth? And how can we address this lethal problem?
The Impact of Climate Change on Our Health
According to scientists, climate change means extreme variability in weather patterns, which results in extended rainy seasons in some parts of the world and droughts in others. Many people claim that rising temperatures have become more menacing than ever before and present a real danger to humanity. In fact, the adverse effects of climate change are already affecting our health; this can no longer be denied. Moreover, it is becoming noticeable at many levels and in many sectors that the rate of heating is accelerating at an alarming speed, which has led to the emergence of fatal diseases and/or increases in the severity of existing ones. Thus, temperature changes endanger our health and our surroundings.
In addition to temperature changes, climate change’s impact on water and air pollution can cause lethal chronic respiratory diseases, to the extent that nowadays unhealthy air is killing more people than tobacco smoking does. This is reinforced by The 2019 Lancet Countdown On Health And Climate Change Report, which states that “climate change is already harming people’s health by increasing the number of extreme weather events and exacerbating air pollution.” This is discussed in the following paragraph on air pollution.
Air Pollution
As we all know, air pollution consists primarily of emissions caused by combustion processes from motor vehicles, solid fuel burning and factories. According to the World Health Organization and the European Union, these emissions have led to the deaths of millions of people every year and have caused many pulmonary diseases as well as respiratory infections. Even worse, it is estimated that allergies, respiratory infections and various diseases are on the rise, and that they are worsened by climate change.
Climate change is causing longer allergy seasons and increasing ground-level ozone levels. That, along with other air pollutants, can trigger various attacks, especially asthma, which is increasing among Americans.
The Impact of Climate Change on the Environment
This issue has been the subject of heated debates so far. Accordingly, I am going to state some of the facts that have been mentioned by some scientists and politicians on the matter. Indeed, the impact of climate change has been apparent in many aspects, such as environmental degradation, diseases and the intensity of natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes and wildfires, to name but a few.
Fires 
Recently, we have been witnessing the aggravation and the increasing frequency of natural catastrophic disasters in different areas in the world. This includes heat waves that have been ravaging countries around the world and have led to the deaths of many people, particularly children and the elderly. In fact, this increase in temperature is causing wildfires that often result in the devastation of crops, leading directly to malnutrition.
Scientists and experts claim that Australia’s fire season has become longer and more intense due to climate change. The result of the heating up of the earth increases the negative impact of fires on the population.
Hurricanes
Hurricanes are natural disasters that have unfortunately been on the rise recently. It is proven that their noticeable severity and frequency is highly connected to climate change. As the earth heats up, there is a great danger facing humans because of the severity of these storms, with precipitation levels exposing people’s lives and structures to increased risks all over the world. For coastal communities, the social, economic, and physical scars left behind by major hurricanes are devastating.
Floods
Recently many countries have witnessed devastating floods. A case in point is Venice, Italy. For this reason, I would like to quote some
statements made by the Mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, which clearly shed light on the atrocity of climate change in Venice. According to Brugnaro, “These are the effects of climate change… the costs will be high… Calling for a state of emergency.” He added that “Now the government must listen. Because of the sinking and the sea-level rise, climate scientists predict Venice will be entirely underwater by the end of this century.” The floods of November 2019 were the worst in over 50 years!
Another example is England, which has also not been spared the effects of flooding. The body of Annie Hall, the former high sheriff of Derbyshire, was found in the River Derwent after she was swept away by floodwaters in Darley Dale near Matlock. The local council called on residents to evacuate their homes.
One of the most harmful things related to flooding is the stagnation as well as the pollution of the flood waters; stagnant water is very conducive to enabling mosquitoes to multiply at a high speed, mainly in warmer climates. This represents a real threat to humanity because of malaria, which can spread to different parts of the world.
Thus, climate change is a real threat to all living species on earth. And this calls for urgent actions and serious measures to reduce its impact.
While this does require serious actions, a lighthearted, easier approach to draw attention to Climate Change was forwarded to me recently: Sing for the Climate :-)
Do check it out!
REFERENCES :
The Health Effects of Hurricane Katrina
Major Topics-Climate Psychiatry Alliance
Is Global Warming Harmful to Health?
Climate Crisis - Flood and Storm Study
Carbon Brief Daily. Leo Hickman -- Different articles on the subject.
