Global climate change has already had observable effects on the environment. Glaciers have shrunk, ice on rivers and lakes is breaking up earlier, plant and animal ranges have shifted and trees are flowering sooner. Effects that scientists had predicted in the past would result from global climate change are now occurring: loss of sea ice, accelerated sea level rise and longer, more intense heat waves. Scientists have high confidence that global temperatures will continue to rise for decades to come, largely due to greenhouse gasses produced by human activities. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which includes more than 1,300 scientists from the United States and other countries, forecasts a temperature rise of 2.5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit over the next century. According to the IPCC, the extent of climate change effects on individual regions will vary over time and with the ability of different societal and environmental systems to mitigate or adapt to change. The IPCC predicts that increases in global mean temperature of less than 1.8 to 5.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1 to 3 degrees Celsius) above 1990 levels will produce beneficial impacts in some regions and harmful ones in others. Net annual costs will increase over time as global temperatures increase."Taken as a whole," the IPCC states, "the range of published evidence indicates that the net damage costs of climate change are likely to be significant and to increase over time." Around the globe, seasons are shifting, temperatures are climbing and sea levels are rising. And meanwhile, our planet must still supply us – and all living things – with air, water, food and safe places to live. If we don't act now, climate change will rapidly alter the lands and waters we all depend upon for survival, leaving our children and grandchildren with a very different world. Weather and climate play a significant role in people's health. Changes in climate affect the average weather conditions that we are accustomed to. Warmer average temperatures will likely lead to hotter days and more frequent and longer heat waves. This could increase the number of heat-related illnesses and deaths. Increases in the frequency or severity of extreme weather events such as storms could increase the risk of dangerous flooding, high winds, and other direct threats to people and property. Warmer temperatures could increase the concentrations of unhealthy air and water pollutants. Changes in temperature, precipitation patterns, and extreme events could enhance the spread of some diseases. The impacts of climate change on health will depend on many factors. These factors include the effectiveness of a community's public health and safety systems to address or prepare for the risk and the behavior, age, gender, and economic status of individuals affected. Impacts will likely vary by region, the sensitivity of populations, the extent and length of exposure to climate change impacts, and society's ability to adapt to change.Although the United States has well-developed public health systems (compared with those of many developing countries), climate change will still likely affect many Americans. In addition, the impacts of climate change on public health around the globe could have important consequences for the United States. For example, more frequent and intense storms may require more disaster relief and declines in agriculture may increase food shortages.
Impacts from Heat Waves
Heat waves can lead to heat stroke
and dehydration, and are the most common cause of weather-related deaths. [1]
[2]
Excessive heat is more likely to impact populations in northern latitudes
where people are less prepared to cope with excessive temperatures. Young
children, older adults, people with medical conditions, and the poor are more
vulnerable than others to heat-related illness. The share of the U.S.
population composed of adults over age 65 is currently 12%, but is projected to
grow to 21% by 2050, leading to a larger vulnerable population.
Impacts from Extreme Weather Events
The frequency and intensity of extreme
precipitation events is projected to increase in some locations, as is the
severity (wind speeds and rain) of tropical storms. [1]
These extreme weather events could cause injuries and, in some cases,
death. As with heat
waves, the people most at risk include young children, older adults, people
with medical conditions, and the poor. Extreme events can also indirectly
threaten human health in a number of ways. For example, extreme events can:· Reduce the
availability of fresh food and water. [2]
· Interrupt communication, utility, and health
care services. [2]
· Contribute to carbon monoxide poisoning from
portable electric generators used during and after storms. [2]
· Increase stomach and intestinal illness
among evacuees. [1]
· Contribute to mental health impacts such as
depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
