Impact of Fossil Fuels, Environmental Degradation, and Climate Change on International Health

This article discusses the impact of fossil fuels, environmental degradation, and climate change on international health. It covers the effects of air pollution, climate change, and human activities on long-term human survival. It also suggests measures that can be taken to reduce air pollution and environmental degradation. The article is relevant to subjects such as environmental science, public health, and sustainability.

INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
International Health
Students Name
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It is evident that Rapid economic development is linked to the depletion of numerous
natural resources. Day to day activities of humans is heavily dependent on the use of fossil fuels,
environmental degradation, depletion of natural resources, environmental degradation and
climate change (Rees 2017). Technological development has occurred in the recent years which
has led to the depletion of the majority of the natural resources. All of these human activities
negatively impact on both human health and long-term human survival (Barnett & Morse 2013).
Regular uses of Fossil Fuels in Nations
Fossil fuels are the most popular resources found on the earth. Many people consider
fossil fuels as a dependable source of energy and are in high demand to fulfill the energy needs
all over the world. Countries heavily rely on the use of fossil fuels such that it has become a
necessary part of everyone’s daily life. Nations obtain an estimated 81% of their total energy
from coal, natural gases, and oil. They depend on the fossil fuels in manufacturing and power
industries, electricity and running vehicles and heating homes (Abas, Kalair & Khan 2015,
pp.31-49).
Road transport, air transport, rail transport and water transport all rely on fossil fuels.
They are used to power the engines of many vehicles across the world. Diesel that is obtained
from crude petroleum is commonly used in trains and trucks while gasoline that is derived from
the refining of crude oils is used as fuels in vehicles. Ships and airplanes also use transportation
fuels that are petroleum based. Fossil fuels are also used in the production of electricity. Coal is
the primary source of fuel in the majority of thermal power plants worldwide. A small number of
the power plants use natural gases and oils as fuels. The fossil fuel power plants mainly convert
water into steam using the heat generated from the combustion of the fossil fuels. The water
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vapor is then used to turn the turbines which then lead to the functioning of the electrical
generators (Höök & Tang 2013, pp.797-809).
Environmental Degradation
The environment influences health in many ways. Many studies that have been done on
the interaction between the environment and human health have demonstrated that
environmental risks have a significant effect on human health through either exposure to
dangerous agents or indirectly through the interference of the ecosystems. Humans engage in
numerous activities for economic expansion which result in environmental degradation.
Environmental degradation refers to the destruction of the environment through the exhaustion of
resources that include water, air, and soil, pollution, the destruction of ecosystems and habitats
and the eradication of various species of wildlife.
Human population keeps increasing every day and as a result more land destruction
increases (Saikia 2016). Humans can also collect resources from their surroundings, processing
them into new and versatile forms. As a result, man-induced pollutants have increased in the
environment and hence interfering with the natural equilibrium (Myers et al. 2013, pp.18753-
18760). Human activities result in climate change by increasing the number of greenhouse gases
in the atmosphere. The incoming and outgoing infrared radiations, which constitute the Earths
energy stability are affected by the gases. This results in the alteration of the atmospheric
characteristics of these gases and hence contributing to cooling or warming of the climate
(McMichael 2013, pp.1335-1343).
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Effects of climate change on health
Although climate change may result in some localized advantages which include high
food production and reduced winter deaths in some areas, the general effects are adverse.
Climate change has a negative influence on the environmental and social determinants of health.
Research indicates that the mortality rates resulting from climate change are likely to rise in the
future, from diseases such as diarrhea, malaria and heat stress. These have a direct impact on
increased health costs.
Climate change results in an excessive increase in temperature. Extreme heat is not
determined through absolute temperatures. Instead, it is defined by the respective transitions
from the previous local conditions. According to the Centre for Disease Control, extreme heat is
defined as the summertime temperatures that are incredibly high or humid than the usual
temperatures for the locality at the same time of the year. The extremely high temperatures lead
to increased deaths especially for the elderly suffering from respiratory and cardiovascular
diseases. Studies indicate that the number of deaths may increase unless proper strategies are put
in place. It also leads to increased deaths and morbidity through the intensification of chronic
diseases, heat strokes, and heat exhaustion. Excessive heat has the potential of exacerbating
present renal diseases and is highly linked to the manifestation of chronic renal disease in people
who are not exposed to other risk factors (Smith 2013).
Climate change results in increased exposure to high temperatures through the increase in
intensity, frequency, and duration. High extreme heat results to rise in the level of pollen and
other aeroallergens which increase the human exposure to severe allergic diseases in humans
such as asthma and other respiratory illnesses. Climate change results to the movement of plants
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to new places and the alteration of atmospheric circulation can result to the carrying away of
pollen to newer areas and as a result, introducing individuals to allergens they had not been
introduced to initially (Schmeltz 2001–2010).
Climate change also leads to increase in the natural disasters and to change patterns of
rainfalls. The number of natural disasters has incredibly risen in the risen years with an estimated
60,000 deaths of individuals mainly living in the developing countries. Extreme weather events
force individuals to leave their homes which increases their susceptibility to communicable
diseases and mental disorders including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. Change in
weather also results to increase in alcohol consumption among people to deal with stress. It also
leads to high rates of suicide. Hospital admissions of people with mental health problems also
increase as well as the number of people of aggressive people and domestic cases.
Although all people can be affected by climate change, people living in small islands and
Polar Regions, children from developing countries, people from countries with weak healthcare
infrastructure are more vulnerable and have a high probability of experiencing severe health
consequences. Climate change may result in both droughts and floods which result in waterborne
and water-related diseases. Extreme events such as floods increase the contamination of water
supplies and the emergence of vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever by
creating a favorable condition for breeding to take place. Flooding also causes physical injuries,
drowning, interruption of the supply of healthcare services and damage to houses. According to
World Health Organization, sanitation is one of the issues that are often undermined in the event
of natural disasters. Water-related diseases such as diarrhea can be preventable. Unfortunately,
they are the leading causes of deaths among children in disaster-prone areas. They often occur as
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a result of contact with or ingestion of contaminated water. Several cholera outbreaks also
happen during floods (Trenberth 2014, p.17).
Climate change has a direct influence on food insecurity, hunger, and poor nutrition. This
leads to both malnutrition and under nutrition leading to high morbidity and mortality rates.
Ending malnutrition is one of the best health investments since a lot of resources are used in the
treatment than prevention of the disease. According to the World Health Organization, children
suffer most from the cases of malnutrition and under nutrition. Climate change impacts under
nutrition in many ways including lack of adequate nutritious foods, access to health care services
and environmental health and lack of proper feeding practices and care (Beelen et al. 2014,
pp.785-795).
The Agricultural sector is one of the important in each country’s economy. Food
production is heavily dependent on the climate. Increase in carbon dioxide and temperature may
increase crop yields in some areas. Changes in droughts and floods is a great challenge for
farmers by making it difficult to grow crops, fishing and rearing animals. Drought also leads to
lack of animal feed supplies and pastures. Heat stress results in low production of animal
products such as milk. It also results in reduced fertility and increased susceptibility to diseases
(Beelen et al. 2014, pp.785-795).
Effects of Air pollution on health
Studies indicate that air pollution has increased in the majority of the industrialized
countries. Combustion of fossil fuels leads to the air pollution by the production of gases such as
sulfur and nitrogen which affect both the environmental and public health. Most hospital
admissions and deaths are as a result of pneumonia, asthma, cardiovascular illnesses and
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respiratory illnesses as a result of the combustion of fossil fuels. Heart diseases are mostly as a
result of the particulates that result from the use of fossil fuels. Studies indicate that exposure of
nitrogen and sulfur dioxide increases the risk in older adults admitted with pneumonia. The
burning of fossil fuels also leads to bronchitis which has the potential of triggering the airway
inflammation and hence leading to fever, coughing, and fatigue. Combustion of fossil fuels also
leads to acid rain. Research indicates that it is hazardous to come into contact with acid rain. This
is because it reduces the visibility in humans and it also has a massive effect on the respiratory
system of humans (Lave & Seskin 2013).
Air pollution also leads to decreased immune functions in humans. This results in
increased susceptibility to various diseases among the people. According to the World Health
Organization, outdoor air pollution rises an individual risk of lung and renal cancer. Lung cancer
is the leading cause of deaths compared to the others (Anon 2018). The toxic particles from air
pollution are responsible for this cancers. Individuals living close to busy roads are very exposed
to the nitrogen oxide from the exhaust of cars that use diesel (Chen et al. 2013, pp.35-43.a).
Air pollution also results in organ damage such as the liver, kidney, and brain. Many
industrial processes lead to the production of heavy metals which can cause both the nervous
system and brain impairment (Hoek et al. 2013, p.43). All these illnesses also result in lost
working days which negatively influences access to proper nutrition and health care services.
Lost working days means that the individuals are not well paid which leads to lower socio-
economic status and poverty. This makes it difficult for the individuals to buy good nutritious
food. Instead, they go for less dense and less nutritious foods. As a result, they are exposed to
nutrition-related illnesses. Lack of income also leads to reduced access to healthcare services
which leads to high mortality rates.
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Effects of human activities on long-term human survival.
The Earth consists of many species of animals with humans as the dominant species. The
inventiveness of human beings has resulted in changes in the majority of the parts of this planet.
As the population continues to increase, effects such as global warming continue to accelerate to
higher levels. Increase in human activities will lead to further growth in climate change in the
future. Trees and other vegetation cover use carbon dioxide and produce carbon dioxide (Masters
2013).
Lack of the trees and vegetation cover makes it difficult to control the amount of carbon
dioxide present in the atmosphere and hence leading to global warming. In the future, the
number of deaths as a result of pollution is set to rise. The number of illnesses such as
pneumonia and cancer will also increase (Loomis et al. 2013, pp.1262-1263). People risk lacking
enough food in the future as a result facing severe malnutrition and undernutrition. This is
because it will be very difficult to plant foods and rear animals. Individuals also risk lacking
water for drinking (Beelen et al. 2014, pp.785-795).
Several measures need to be taken to reduce air pollution and environmental degradation.
The reduction of the emission of the greenhouse gases through the use of better alternatives to
energy, transport, and food can lead to improved health especially. The introduction of cleaner
energy systems is also essential. Individuals should be encouraged to find alternatives to private
means of transport such as cycling and walking (Masters 2013).
Education on the effects of environmental degradation can also help solve the problem
through encouraging behavior change. Environmental education encompasses creating
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awareness on the consequences of human activities on health and long-term survival. Secondly,
it includes ensuring that people change their attitude towards environmental challenges. Thirdly,
it includes equipping people with useful skills to find a solution to the environmental problems.
Fourthly it involves encouraging community involvement and participation. Finally, it consists
of the acknowledgment of the fact that it is everyone's responsibility to help in solving the
problems (McMichael 2013, pp.6096-6105).
Environmental education should also be mandatory in all institutions (Salleh, Zuki,
Ismail & Abdullah 2016). Information on the benefits of the conservation of the environment
should be relayed to the media. Tax should be applied to factories and industries releasing waste.
The department of the environment should undertake publications on health safety and establish
standards for individual pollutants. It should also be empowered with coming up with laws that
may improve the environment. They should also be given authority over air, soil and water
environment and should also ensure strict surveillance over the industrial areas. They should also
undertake constant monitoring of both air and water standards. Huge penalties should be applied
to individuals who do not adhere to the set standards of water, air noise and other methods of
pollution.
International action is required to solve problems caused by highly toxic pollutants such
as mercury and lead that are released into the air and transferred to seas and rivers and carried
beyond the countries of origin. The success of the measures to better the environment relies on
the readiness of both the local authorities and industries to accept change and decrease the
discharge of toxic wastes into the seas and the modernization and development of appropriate
sewage disposal structures. Maximum support for the enactment of suitable public health
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responses to climate change is also crucial. This will help countries acquire the potential to
prevent climate change and embrace measures that reduce carbon emissions.
Implementation of policies that forbid deforestation is also necessary. Deforestation
should be considered as a punishable crime to prevent its occurrence. People should be
encouraged to plant more trees and increase vegetation cover. People should also conserve
electricity by turning off electrical appliances while not in use. People should also harvest
rainwater whenever possible for cleaning and watering plants. People should preserve trees by
going paperless and engage in the recycling of products. The use of farming chemicals such as
pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers should also be reduced (Pirlone & Candia 2016, pp.209-
225).
In conclusion, the activities we human beings engage in for economic expansion has a
severe effect on both our health and future. The activities we take part in today will heavily cost
our future. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure maximum behavior change as soon as possible to
prevent further destruction. More attention should also be put in engaging in actions that
positively impact on our environment is crucial in ensuring that we take care of our natural
resources.
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