Various Diseases Due to Global Warming

Global warming is a prolonged increase in the average temperature of the earth. The reason is human activities that produce carbon dioxide and other gases, such as combustion remnants from vehicle engines or factories. In the end, this condition can affect the global climate. In general, climate change can have a negative impact on clean water sources, human food, shelter, and impact on human health.

Diseases Caused by Global Warming

By knowing that the impact is so real in our daily lives, we can be more aware to behave friendly to nature. Furthermore, let's explore the effects of global warming on human health.

• Respiratory disease

Climate change can increase the concentration of ozone, which is a clear pollutant. Ozone is dangerous to the lungs because it can affect lung disorders, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. Increased asthma and bronchitis can be said to be the first measure of the impact of global warming. Apart from increasing ozone concentrations, high temperatures also contribute to respiratory diseases. For example, due to increased haze due to high temperatures. Children are the subjects most vulnerable to the effects of global warming. In addition to allowing recurrence of asthma and allergies that are more frequent, global warming can also damage the function and inhibit the growth of children's lungs due to air pollution.

• Infectious diseases

Climate change causes air temperatures to rise and rainfall to increase. This is related to the increasing number and expansion of the spread of animals that carry certain diseases. Among these are malaria which is spread by Anopheles mosquitoes, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) by A. aegypti and A. albopictus mosquitoes, and filariasis or elephantiasis which is also spread by mosquitoes in tropical regions such as Indonesia.

• Effects on mental health

Climate change can cause extreme weather phenomena, such as large storms, flash floods, drought, and heat waves. Experiencing disasters related to climate and weather can cause stress, anxiety disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Trauma and losses due to disasters, such as loss of home or work, and the death of relatives, can be a trigger for various mental illnesses above. Exposure to extreme hot weather has a close relationship with increasing alcohol abuse to deal with stress, an increasing number of patients with mental health disorders in hospitals, and even an increase in suicides. The effects of global warming also have a negative impact on aggressive behavior and domestic violence. Food scarcity, deterioration in food quality, potential increase in diseases transmitted by insects are also the effects of global warming which are at risk of causing mental illness. People with mental health disorders are more likely to be affected by global warming. This is because some types of drugs related to psychiatric problems will interfere with a person's ability to regulate body temperature and their body's sensitivity to hot air. Several studies of deaths related to the effects of heat waves found that people with mental illness had a three times greater risk of dying than those without mental illness. Moreover, people with mental illness are also more likely to live in poverty.

• Increased mortality

In the end, climate change will threaten human life. According to World Health Organization (WHO) data, climate change risks adding 250,000 deaths per year in the 2030-2050 range, due to exposure to heat in the elderly, malaria, malnutrition in children, stress, and diarrhea. Extreme high temperature exposure can cause immediate death, especially in the elderly, due to heat stroke. Extreme temperatures also contribute to the risk of heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease, as well as respiratory disease. In addition, hot temperatures will increase the risk of dehydration.

Steps to Guard the Earth

Climate instability can threaten human life support systems and human health itself. Therefore, let's take a few simple steps to protect the earth from global warming.

• Energy saving. Turn off electronic equipment after use. Use water for bathing and washing to taste.
• Use public transportation and reduce the frequency of using private vehicles.
• Plant a tree in the yard. If you don't have a yard, you can plant a tree in a pot.
• If using a vehicle, use renewable fuels such as biodiesel.
• Keep the environment clean and throw trash in its place.

By protecting the environment, you are one step more friendly to the earth. The benefits may not be immediate, but they are very beneficial for future survival for the next generation. Remember, global warming is not only an enemy of the earth, but can also cause health problems for humans and other living things.