In recent times, climate change has become a predominant issue globally, and our doing or undoing presently, could define what the nearest future holds. Too conspicuous to deny, the effects of climate change have become more of a reality than a mere threat to overlook: From rising sea levels that spell danger in increased flooding, to shifting weather patterns that portend shortage in food production, to recurring heatwaves which threaten health, the gravity of climate change cannot be adequately described. It is a defining moment in earth’s history. Without prompt and dire actions taken to mitigate the effects, acclimatising may become too late, too costly or too difficult. Illnesses arising from heat waves have been on the top list due to global warming.
According to statistics from Public Health England, the summer heatwaves 0f 2019 resulted in nearly 900 more deaths. The World Meteorological Organization defines a heatwave as five or more consecutive days of prolonged heat in which the daily maximum temperature is higher than the average maximum temperature by 5 degree celsius. Put simply, it is a period of unaccustomed humid weather lasting two or more days. In recent years, the frequency, severity and duration of heatwaves have increased significantly, owing to global warming. The warming due to the high absorption of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and it is happening at a more rapid and alarming rate than at any other time in Earth’s history.
The World Meteorological Organisation declared July 2019 the hottest month in history, trouncing the previous record in July 2016. Over the last 30 years, heatwaves have killed more people than all other weather-related natural disasters put together. Worldwide, human activities have exacerbated global warming, particularly the burning of fossil fuels. This has released ample amounts of greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide to trap extra heat in the atmosphere, thereby affecting the climate. The effect of heatwaves scarcely has a benefit that comes with it, especially in Nigeria, but should there be any, the negative far outweighs it. One of the cons that come with extremely high temperature is the rising level of health-related issues. This contributes directly to deaths; spanning from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases to others such as hyperthermia, dehydration, heat syncope, heat stroke, among others.
Insects thrive and are more active in hot weather conditions. Their reproduction rate increases and they grow faster. The implication, therefore, is the prevalence of insect-transmitted diseases like malaria, yellow fever, dysentery, typhoid, etc. The World Health Organisation projected that by 2070, under both high and low emissions, over 400 million people are at risk of malaria. That’s a statistics to be worried about! Furthermore, WHO projects that between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year, from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and heat stress. More disquieting is the reality that areas with weak health infrastructure, mostly developing countries, will be the least able to cope without assistance to prepare and respond.
Good health is one of the essential needs of man, regardless of status in society. Despite the primacy of healthy living, accessing quality health care services has been a daunting challenge in developing countries. In Nigeria, it has been particularly difficult accessing good healthcare services at low-cost, as our health sector is characterised either by dilapidation in public health institutions or high charges in privately owned hospitals. One would think that with the introduction of healthcare intervention programmes in Nigeria, healthcare will become more accessible and affordable, but the question is: How many people are enrolled for these programmes, and how satisfied are they? Health insurance schemes cover an insignificant percentage of the Nigerian population, leaving many at the mercy of inadequate health facilities in terms of health centres, personnel and equipment, especially in rural communities.
The Nigerian health maintenance is underdeveloped and it is under-resourced by a considerable amount. Directing the blame to poor budgetary allocation in the healthcare system is certainly justified. Climate change as a global phenomenon is occurring at a speedy rate, and we can only pace up to do the needful. A healthy nation is a wealthy nation. Healthcare provision in Nigeria is a concerted responsibility of the three tiers of government. It is expected that major healthcare reforms will have to be addressed by the chief stakeholders, especially in providing health incentives for older adults and other vulnerable people. However, that does not exempt the citizenry from playing their role, as it is a collective duty of every individual to ensure that we adopt climate-friendly lifestyles.
One of the ways to recover our environment from the pollution produced by thousands of car journeys is by taking up eco-friendly means of commuting. It is sad that in this part of the world, to a large extent, success is measured by material possessions. The need to own a car is a societal success standard most people want to meet up with. This is not disputing the fact that it is a necessity for making transportation easy. However, ‘Green Commuting’ as adopted by developed nations is an initiative to lessen the number of cars on the road, thereby reducing nitrogen dioxide and diesel particulates in the air we breathe, which harms health. For instance, cycling to work is a ridiculous idea to an average Nigerian, but can easily slot into everyday lives while making a significant difference to an individual’s life. Cycling to work brings huge benefits to both an individual’s physical and mental health.
Have you ever thought? On the roads, two cars take the space of a bus, and a high percentage of the cars have single occupants? While the government can strategises on providing sufficient bus systems and services, individuals can promote green commute to ensure that fewer cars are on the road, and our oxygen does not compete with other harmful elements inhaled into our system. The need for survival has contributed to promoting sales in traffic. The rate of exposure to sunlight by these hawkers put a high percentage of citizens at risk of skin-related diseases and even the effects that accompany heat waves.
Climate change and all its effects; be it heat waves and all the diseases that come with it, or increased rate in natural disasters, or the threat posed to the ecosystem to mention but a few, the danger will become inevitable if nothing is done about it. All hands must be on deck. We need more definite plans, more enthusiasm from more countries, institutions; public and private, well-meaning individuals to see to it that the effects of climate change are kept under control and irreversible damages do not become worse than they already are. If we do nothing, we might just not have an earth to live in.
Esther (Climate Action Team) writes via [email protected]
07036353818
