We all know that there are many internal factors that contribute to our health, and also some environmental factors such as noise and pollution – but what about the Earth as a whole. Recent discussion and research as part of a United Nations Commission has shown that the health of the planet could have an impact on your health. News.com.au originally reported the story on the 23rd of June, 2015.
“The implications of climate change for a global population of nine billion people threaten to undermine the last half-century of gains in development and global health,” said Unite Nations Commission experts, on the effect of global warming on our health.
They have always said that prevention is better than a cure, but if we keep heading down our current path, environmental impact on our health might be too big for us to handle.
Thought we might have come leaps and bounds when it comes to diagnosis and treatment of disease, it all might be worth nothing if environmental issues aren’t tackled head on:
“The direct effects of climate change include increased heat stress, floods, drought and increased frequency of intense storms.” The indirect effects on health come from urban smog, food insecurity and spread of mosquito-borne disease as insects spread to warmer habitats.”
The commission suggest that we might be able to hit two birds with one stone with initiatives to help save the planet will help our health:
“Tackling the carbon emissions which cause the problem would yield many benefits for health, the panel said. It would reduce air pollution that causes respiratory disease and cardiac stress. Peripheral measures such as encouraging cycling and walking would also cut deaths from road accidents and rates of obesity and diabetes.”
So tackling global warming will improve our health and wellbeing.
