The medical industry are speaking out about the potential health risks that will accompany climate change and warn that the world may face a catastrophic health crisis if temperatures continue to rise. In a letter published online in The Lancet and The British Medical Journal, 18 of the world’s leading physicians call for the entire medical industry to voice their encouragement of radical commitments to cut global carbon dioxide emissions.
The letter warns that rising temperatures will continue to cause widespread droughts in areas such as Sudan. Darfur is continuing to be plagued with a devastating drought that is causing pressure on resources and widespread migration. Lack of clean water has seen a rise in water-borne diseases and the scorching temperatures have killed off crops resulting in malnutrition across the region. Michael Marmot of the International Institute for Society and Health, University College London, and Michael Jay of the London-based health charity Merlin write that “the conflict in Darfur is as much about pressure on resources as the desert encroaches as about the internal politics of Sudan”. They go further to suggest that areas such as Darfur, where poverty is widespread and governance unstable, will be more susceptible to the effects of climate change.
The letter calls for developed nations to cut down their carbon consumption as a low carbon lifestyle is also a healthy lifestyle. Many health problems that are predominately found in the developed world such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease would be cut down if lifestyles became more environmentally friendly. Walking rather than driving and eating less meat would not only help halt climate change but would also be beneficial for the waistline. Less carbon emissions would result in less pollution which in turn would reduce rates of respiratory illnesses such as asthma.
Another report released by the Physicians for Social Responsibility and the National Wildlife Federation, outlines the danger of rising temperature on urban populations, especially those who lack access to air conditioning. Densely packed urban areas will be the worse hit on extremely hot days
where air pollution will be intensified to the point where it will be almost impossible to go outside.
Those lacking well insulated shelter and air conditioning, predominately the poor, and those with pre existing heart and breathing problems will most likely be the worse affected. Dr. Peter Wilk, Executive Director of Physicians for Social Responsibility writes “the science confirms that the frequency and duration of heat waves has increased significantly over the last 50 years. In the United States, heat waves already kill more people during a typical year than floods, tornadoes and earthquakes combined. Given these worsening trends, taking decisive action to stop global warming becomes a medical necessity.”
The report also cites Europe’s devastating heat wave in 2003 that killed more than 30,000 people. The heat wave was a wake up call for Europe as they were vastly under prepared for such a devastating heat wave that saw undertakers using a refrigerated warehouse outside of Paris because they did not have enough space in their own facilities.
Later this year, world leaders will meet in Copenhagen to negotiate a new UN Framework Convention on climate change. The meeting will ideally unify world leaders in order to implement comprehensive and immediate changes to fight global warming, however physicians warn that “there is a real danger that politicians will be indecisive especially in such turbulent economic times”. If Copenhagen produces only ambiguous targets and no general consensus that have been characteristic of most climate change meetings, then “the results for international health could be catastrophic”.
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