ENVIRONMENT
The Earth's Fever and Our Health
Wed Apr 16 2025
The climate crisis is a major health threat. The Earth's temperature has gone up by more than 1. 5 degrees Celsius since the early 1900s. This has led to sea levels rising by over 24 centimeters. The last decade has seen the 10 hottest years on record. 2024 was the hottest year ever recorded. Scientists predict that by the end of this century, global temperatures could rise between 1. 5 and 5. 5 degrees Celsius. Sea levels could also rise between 0. 5 and 1. 3 meters. This is a big deal for our health.
Climate change is messing with weather patterns. It's causing more extreme weather events. Think droughts, heatwaves, wildfires, storms, and floods. These events are spreading infectious diseases and making non-infectious diseases worse. They are also causing food and water shortages. This leads to more malnutrition and disease. The uncertainty and lack of action from leaders are making people anxious. This is especially true for young people. Their mental health is suffering.
The future looks grim if we don't act. Greenhouse gas emissions need to be curbed. We need to plan for a net-zero world. This means a world where we emit no more greenhouse gases than we can absorb. We need to do this while improving the lives of the poorest people. By 2050, we should aim for 10 billion people living healthy, safe, and low-impact lives.
The climate crisis isn't just about polar bears and melting ice caps. It's about our health and the health of future generations. We need to take action now. We need to demand change from our leaders. We need to push for policies that prioritize our health and the health of the planet. The future is in our hands. Let's not mess it up.
continue reading...
questions
Could the increase in temperature be due to the rise in popularity of spicy food?
If the Earth is getting warmer, why do we still need winter coats?
How do we balance the need for immediate action with the potential economic impacts on vulnerable populations?
actions
flag content