Climate change is affecting you in ways you may not even have noticed

Climate change is affecting you in ways you may not even have noticed

Many of us are aware that climate change has enormous implications, many of which have already transformed our planet. Cities have recently experienced immense flooding: carbon emissions are increasing and the Arctic Ocean ice has almost completely melted. As time goes on, these problems will only get worse unless we take the necessary action.

But if that’s not enough to make you an activist, here’s what’s next: climate change directly harms people around the world. Take a look.

Extreme weather trends

The effects of climate change manifest themselves in various ways. One of the most prominent is the occurrence of severe weather events. Think of the recent bushfires on the east coast of Australia and the flooding in Venice in November. These are not random situations: climate change has threatened the existence of many places around the world.

While these areas are home to historical monuments, they are also home to people and animals. Even towns and cities that are not near bodies of water will be harmed, as extreme weather trends are not limited to fires and floods. Hurricane and cyclone speeds have also increased over time.

What this means is that within the next hundred years, if not sooner, our environment may be damaged. To preserve our homes, we need to recognize this and take appropriate action. Many towns, and the realtors and investors within them, have begun to invest resources in this effort , as it directly affects their livelihood.

Diseases and Illnesses

As time goes on, our planet continues to be affected by climate change, as does our health. As temperature levels soar and pollution inevitably increases, we are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular problems, heart attacks and disease.

In addition, our allergies can worsen as the amount of pollen in the air increases. Along with these intense weather trends comes the ability to spread disease. Many scientists believe that an increase in heat and rain will create the perfect conditions for outbreaks. In this case, we may experience water-related diseases due to pathogens and vector-borne diseases from mosquitoes and fleas.

Food security

As the world’s population continues to increase, so does the need for food. Unfortunately, agricultural production is threatened by climate change. Both greenhouse gases and rising temperatures directly affect a number of crops, from legumes to corn. Water scarcity can also affect meat production. Pollution and overfishing already damage fisheries, but outbreaks of marine diseases and seasonal changes create even more stress factors. Transportation systems used to move crops to various locations may be affected by increased natural disasters. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can also remove nutrients from our fruits and vegetables.

As droughts increase and there are fewer resources for irrigation, it is difficult to envision a future with an abundance of food.

Travel

Did you take a flight recently and endure a bumpy ride? Scientists believe that climate change is expected to strengthen vertical wind shears at higher altitudes, which will increase turbulence. When an aircraft experiences this, passengers and flight attendants can be injured quite severely. This creates the potential for injury.

But this already happens on airplanes, so where is the cause for concern? Turbulence will grow in severity by 149%, which is a very high jump. All this to say that even the way we travel is affected by climate change. The same goes for water travel: with stronger storms and higher water levels, boaters may find it difficult to navigate open water in the years to come.

Mental health issues

Climate change is often a difficult topic to address. Unfortunately, as flooding, tornadoes and fires increase, mental health issues increase. Those who experience these events are left with long-term trauma as they try to rebuild their lives. This is especially true for the most vulnerable people, such as the elderly and disabled.

In the event of a disaster, people who have already been diagnosed with mental illness will have limited access to the services and infrastructure they depend on. In addition, many with mental health problems live in poverty, so if they experience an extreme weather condition, it will be more difficult for them to recover.

Lack of water

Lack of water is one of the main ways we will experience the effects of climate change. If our current situation persists, in five years, two-thirds of the world will be living in water-scarce conditions. Desertification is a major problem that many people in already dry climates have experienced.

As we know, climate change is causing an increase in temperature. This means that increasingly, our water sources have begun to dry up. The distribution of rainfall in some areas of the world will be affected and cause significant damage. Water quality as a whole may deteriorate, which will most noticeably harm low-income people around the world. As groundwater evaporates, wells become unusable. Every community must have access to sustainable water sources.

Don’t wait to make a change

It is clear that climate change has begun to affect both the planet and the human race. From extreme weather to food shortages to mental health issues, there is much to worry about. Fortunately, scientists, governments and activists alike have begun to do their part to put a stop to it, and you can too! There are adjustments you can make at home, in your diet and in your daily activities that will benefit the world. Communicate with others so they can do their part, too. When we all work together, great things can happen.