The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Impact of Climate change in day-today life

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 07, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Impact of Climate change in day-today life

The theme of World Health day which falls on April 7 (The founding day of WHO) is “Protect health from the impact of climate change”. WHO selected this theme in recognition that climate change is posing ever growing threats to global public health security. Ever increasing chasm between demand and supply of drinking water is one the adverse effects of global warming.

Over the last 50 years, human activities - particularly the burning of fossil fuels - have released sufficient quantities of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to affect the global climate. The atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide has increased by more than 30% since pre-industrial times, trapping more heat in the lower atmosphere. The resulting changes in the global climate bring a range of risks to health, from deaths in extreme high temperatures to changing patterns of infectious diseases. As India’s Population is threatening to overtake China’s, most of the adverse health impact of climate change may already be upon us. Variable rainfall patterns are likely to compromise the supply of fresh water. Globally, water scarcity already affects four out of every 10 people. Lack of water and poor water quality can compromise hygiene and health. This increases the risk of diarrhoea, which kills approximately 1.8 million people every year. Water scarcity encourages people to transport water over long distances and store supplies in their homes. This can increase the risk of household water contamination, causing illnesses. Dengue fever which is spread by the Aedes mosquito Malaria by Anopheles mosquitoes are classic examples

Malnutrition causes millions of deaths each year, from both a lack of sufficient nutrients to sustain life and a resulting vulnerability to infectious diseases such as malaria, diarrhoea, and respiratory illnesses. Now we have evidences to show that modern day scourges such as Diabetes, Hypertension and Kidney failure are also fundamentally linked to maternal malnutrition. Steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or lessen the health impacts of climate change could have positive health effects. Promoting the safe use of public transportation and active movement - could reduce carbon dioxide emissions and improve public health. Fortunately, much of the health risk is avoidable through existing health programmes and interventions such as avoidance of smoking and Life style modifications. Let each one of us take a solemn vow to make earth liveable and loveable for our future generations.

Dr.K.Sampath kumar M.D.,D.N.B.,D.M.(Nephro),

Sr. Consultant-Nephrologist

Meenakshi Mission Hospital, Madurai