For a typical person living in a typical comfortable world, there is hardly any parallel between climate change and health effects.
Enough has been said about the climate change and it took many years yet before leaders of the world acknowledged that climate change is linked to human activities. So, why should pharmacists bother about climate change? Obviously we do because there is enough evidence to implicate health effects to climate change.
In a recent publication by Intergovermental Panel on Climate Change (www.ipcc.ch), a clear statement was issued, ie. “Projected climate change-related exposures are likely to affect the health status of millions of people.”
Global Warming & Seasons Change
The most visible parameter in climate change is the warming effects of the globe. I was in Basel in November 2006, February and again April 2007. The winter has become a lot warmer and spring came a lot earlier. Higher temperatures during winter will result in fewer deaths due to harsh winter; but hotter summer will cause more problems and deaths due to heat waves. In 2003 European heat wave, 15,000 people in France died.
Food Production & Nutrition
Global warming affects all flora and fauna. Whether you are a health-conscious “herbivore” or “omnivore” like me, the world’s agricultural throughput and food supplies balance is out of balance. Fishing and farming have been negatively impacted due to rising temperatures. Distribution imbalances of food supplies are worsening and this will lead to food shortages and further aggravate the nutritional status of millions of children in impoverished countries.
Infectious Diseases
There has been evidential increase of water and food-borne diseases, and changes in vector-transmitted infections. IPCC report predicts that diarrhoeal diseases and food poisoning will increase.
At our doorsteps, we have seen the recent spikes in dengue fever. Other vector-borne diseases like malaria, leishmaniasis, tick-borne encephalitis etc are set to increase as well.
Cardiovascular & Respiratory Diseases
One of the key drivers of climate change (or perhaps the cause) has been the air pollutants. We are beginning to see an epidemiological rise in the asthma and other chronic obstructive respiratory diseases amongst our population. In Singapore, we face the perennial smog/haze every dry season. This has had significant healthcare and economic costs to our society here.
The impacts of vehicular on cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses have been well researched. We reported the risks of air pollution and the children’s lungs functions in earlier eBulletin Issuen No. 20 (https://www.pss.org.sg/main/component/option,com?magazine/func,show?article/id,121/Itemid,1/).
As an individual, it is not possible to reverse climate change; but as a responsible professional sharing this planet earth with the world’s other flora and fauna, we have a small part to play in responding to climate change. We can begin helping by adapting to the changes through sustainable means and pass the knowledge and message to people we have influence over – our patients, our children, our family. Adjust to climate change pragmatically and preemptively through environmentally friendlier means. Reduce direct and indirect carbon-emissions – walking or use public transport vs. driving; lesser unnecessary air-conditioning; cut wastages; embrace and advocate the principle of 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse & Recycle) etc. It is a lifestyle decision, it is a small step, but collectively, our children and our children’s children will have a better place to live, moving forward.
Thanks for reading!
Ng Cheng Tiang
President, PSS
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