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

INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
International Health
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INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
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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INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
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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INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
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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