Health Impacts of Carbon Emissions
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| Environmental pollution causes various diseases in all living organisms |
Carbon emissions have extensive and multiple health consequences that pose grave risks to global public health. As aforementioned, the carbon emissions from fossil fuel combustion are the main sources of pervasive global air pollution, steadily rising global temperatures, and aggravating climate-sensitive diseases. These negative consequences have immediate and long-term health impacts, which disproportionately affect the most vulnerable people, especially children, the elderly, and inhabitants of low-income communities.
This section delves into the various health impacts of carbon emissions, particularly respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, heat-related health challenges, vector-borne diseases, and mental health concerns.
Respiratory and Cardiovascular Illnesses (4.5 mil. annual deaths)
Fossil fuel burning affects a heavily impact on air quality by releasing toxic elements and impurities such as particulate matter (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), and ground-level ozone. These toxic elements are linked to serious health issues, particularly respiratory illnesses among vulnerable individuals.
In particular, fine particulate matter can quickly enter the lungs, causing poor health conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Cities with high vehicle emissions, including Delhi, Beijing, and other big cities, often experience toxic levels of air pollution, causing respiratory emergencies (WHO, 2021).
Moreover, fossil fuel-induced air pollution poses considerable threats to cardiovascular health, such as the high likelihood of heart problems, strokes, and hypertension. Research reported that fossil fuel-related air contaminants are responsible for around 4.5 million premature deaths annually, mainly attributed to cardiovascular ailments (Lelieveld et al., 2019).
Children and other specific populations who are exposed for long periods will experience severe adverse lung development and cognitive function impacts. Similarly, older adults and individuals with existing health conditions also face a heightened risk of severe health outcomes due to air pollutants.
Heat-Related Health Challenges (500,000 deaths/year)
Primarily driven by carbon emissions, rising temperatures in various areas increase the frequency and intensity of heat waves globally. This trend has severe consequences, including heightened incidents of heat-related illnesses and fatalities.
Exposure to extreme heat can cause heat stress, dehydration, and potentially fatal heatstroke, especially among populations not regularly exposed to hotter temperatures, such as the United States and European countries. Examples of such cases include the devastating 2003 heat wave in Europe, which killed 70,000 people. In 2023, estimates show that heat waves cause approximately 500,000 annual deaths globally (World Health Organization, 2023).
The impacts of extreme heat are very concerning for people with chronic health conditions, such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, which can be exacerbated by high temperatures. Vulnerable populations face even greater risks, especially those with limited access to cooling and healthcare services.
Additionally, urban areas experience intensified heat due to the so-called 'urban heat island effect.' This phenomenon means heat absorption by materials such as concrete and asphalt, which hold heat and keep it even at night. This phenomenon affects low-income communities that often lack adequate air conditioning facilities, further intensifying the health risks associated with constantly rising temperatures.
Vector-Borne and Climate-Sensitive Diseases (700,000 deaths annually)
Climate change significantly impacts the distribution and intensity of vector-borne diseases, which are sensitive to environmental factors like temperature, precipitation, and humidity. Rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns are expanding the habitats of disease-carrying mosquitoes, putting regions previously deemed safe and high-altitude areas, such as in Africa and South America, at increased risk for various diseases, including malaria and dengue (Githeko et al., 2000).
Hotter climates enhance the range and activity of ticks, which could increase Lyme disease cases, particularly in North America and European regions with temperate weather conditions. Recent studies indicate that Lyme disease affects approximately 300,000 people annually in the United States alone, which translates to about 0.1% of the population (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2019). The increase in tick activity due to warmer climates will elevate these numbers further.
Additionally, habitat loss due to deforestation could increase the likelihood of zoonotic diseases transferring from animals to humans. Notably, the Ebola outbreak in West Africa exemplifies how environmental changes can bring human populations into closer contact with wildlife, increasing the spread of such diseases. Recent studies suggest that about 60% of human infectious diseases are zoonotic, meaning they originate from animals. Many of these diseases can be linked to ecosystem changes and increased interactions between humans and wildlife. For instance, a study highlighted that approximately 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic (Lloyd-Smith et al., 2009).
Vector-borne diseases account for approximately 17% of all infectious diseases and cause an estimated 700,000 deaths annually (WHO, 2021). The rise in temperature and changes in precipitation linked to climate change are potentially aggravating this situation, increasing the number of people affected by diseases such as malaria and dengue.
Water-borne Diseases and Sanitation Challenges (2.2 million deaths annually)
Carbon emissions cause changes in weather patterns, such as altered precipitation and rising sea levels, which seriously affect water quality and sanitation. Extreme weather events, specifically flooding, often cause drinking water sources to become contaminated with harmful pathogens, chemicals, and waste, resulting in outbreaks of diseases in affected regions.
It is estimated that 2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water, heightening the risk of water-borne disease outbreaks, according to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2023). Due to scarcity of clean water sources or unknowingly drinking contaminated water is a major cause of cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, and other related water-borne diseases, which globally cost the lives of approximately 2.2 million people each year, most of whom are children under five (WHO, 2023).
Sanitation challenges also aggravate the circumstances. Low-income countries and regions mostly have inadequate sanitation infrastructure, increasing the risks of contamination and water-borne disease outbreaks. For example, overcrowding and scarcity of clean water in refugee camps and urban slums could create a fertile environment for diseases to spread quickly, starting a sanitation crisis.
Also, rising sea levels cause saltwater to intrude into freshwater sources, affecting the accessibility of clean water and heightening the risks of hypertension and kidney diseases, especially among populations located in coastal areas. According to a study by Strauch et al. (2020), groundwater salinity levels have risen in many regions, with some areas documenting an intrusion of up to several kilometers inland, depending on local hydrogeological conditions and the rate of sea-level rise.
Further, extended droughts could exacerbate water scarcity in climate-vulnerable areas, preventing hygienic activities and spreading various water-borne illnesses. Overall, these intensely entwined issues highlight the debilitating impacts of climate change on safe water access and public health.
Mental Health Impacts (59% of youth)
The mental health impacts of carbon emissions and climate change are significant yet frequently overlooked. One prominent issue is climate anxiety, particularly among young people. A global survey indicated that 59% of youth worry about climate change (Hickman et al., 2021).
Additionally, individuals who survive climate-related disasters—such as hurricanes and wildfires—often face severe mental health challenges, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. This is exemplified by the long-term mental health struggles reported by many survivors of Hurricane Katrina (Galea et al., 2007).
Furthermore, the displacement and loss of livelihoods caused by climate change disrupt social cohesion and support systems, further exacerbating mental health issues within affected communities.
Economic Costs of Health Impacts ($5 trillion annually)
Carbon emissions heavily burden healthcare systems and have negative impacts on society as a whole.
Estimates of air pollution-related health impacts exceed $5 trillion annually (WHO, 2021), a considerable financial cost to treat illnesses related to air pollution, heatwaves, and climate-sensitive diseases.
Besides, the workforce suffers from illnesses and premature deaths, particularly in regions dependent on outdoor labor. For instance, heat stress alone could cost 80 million full-time jobs worldwide by 2030, according to a report by the International Labour Organization (ILO, 2019).
Furthermore, climate-related diseases and poor air quality heighten chronic health conditions. Increasing healthcare expenses and diminishing quality of life are just some major costs of long-term climate change consequences.
