Health in the Time of Nature Crisis

Abstract

Human health faces significant challenges due to global changes driven by human activities, such as climate change and biodiversity loss. These phenomena can impact the quality of life both independently and together. The United Nations Environmental Program has labeled these changes as a “nature crisis” because they affect various aspects of human life. In this context, health issues can be categorized as direct or indirect effects of the nature crisis. Direct effects: i. Temperature change: Heat waves are rapidly increasing mortality rates. ii. Hydrometeorological hazards: Floods can compromise water quality, creating health risks. iii. Air pollution: Climate change can increase the mobility of pollutants, worsening air quality. Indirect effects: i. Vector-borne diseases: For example, changes in weather patterns can alter the distribution of vectors, such as mosquitoes, affecting disease transmission. ii. Water-borne diseases: Increased incidence of diarrheal diseases can occur as water quality deteriorates. iii. Food-borne diseases: For instance, climate change can increase pathogens in agricultural products, posing health risks. Health impacts vary by regions, and vulnerable populations often have lower adaptive capacities. Health policies must be tailored globally and locally to address these issues, emphasizing protection for the most at-risk groups. Collaboration between the health and environmental sectors is essential to solve these growing problems. However, current adaptation policies are constantly challenged by the nature crisis. Therefore, humanity must intensify its efforts to mitigate climate change and reduce land use changes to preserve biodiversity.