Climate varies according to the distance from the earth's equator. It changes over long timeframe. Today, climate is changing at a rapid rate. Our planet is warming quickly than never before. Global warming is causing earth's average temperature to increase. The consequences of climate change in the form of rising temperature, changes in precipitation, and rising sea level has great impact on human health.This year turned out to be the hottest ever recorded. Hotter days can include health problems such as dizziness, headache and fainting but heat stroke is more severe and requires medical treatment. Body temperature rises, skin dries and person gets unconscious. Every year an average of 688 deaths occur only due to extreme heat. Central Asia is currently experiencing one of the hottest heat-waves ever recorded. This year in India, heat wave caused death of more than 2,500 people and 1,200 died in Pakistan. In the wake of temperatures above 46 degrees Celsius last week, Iraq had to declare a four-day national holiday. Meanwhile, temperatures in neighboring Iran reached a relative temperature of 74 degree Celsius.
Due to unpredictable weather, intense rainfall and dry monsoon are causing various climatic disasters such as landslides, and floods. Loss in biodiversity as a result of climate change, decrease in crop yields, droughts, and wildfire leading to deforestation have caused excess of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This has threatened the advent of epidemic diseases in developing countries.
The impact of climate change has affected Nepal as well. Nepal is fourth most vulnerable nation to climate change in the world according to Maplecroft 2011. Climate change is associated with increases in the frequency of heat waves. Wealthy countries are more likely to adapt to climate change related disaster than poor countries. Even less economically fortunate population suffer more because they are less likely to have facilities of air conditioning and insulated homes. Coping mechanisms and poor quality housing are likely to confer further vulnerability on people with mental health problems. Infants and elderly people are more vulnerable to illness and cannot withstand hot temperature and poor air quality. Indirect consequences of climate change, such as migration and economic collapse, are potential drivers of adverse health outcomes in Nepal.
In Nepal, every year, many people die and thousands become homeless and suffer from various diseases and injuries due to sudden occurrence of disasters. Last monsoon Bardia district experienced worst flood in six decades which submerged more than 1,000 houses in Gulariya. Last year an avalanche on Mount Everest near Everest Base Camp killed 16 Nepali guides and the death toll from the unexpected storm in Annapurna appeared to be more than 30.
Nepal has already faced tragedy on April 25, as it was hit by 7.8 magnitude earthquake. The affected are being helped. But Nepal being an agriculture-dependent country, people are facing terrible situation due to EL NINO phenomenon. Daily living and economic source of people in the form of "agricultural land" are left barren because of less intense but short period rainfall. Besides, Taplejung landslide killed 53 people and Nepal is yet to face 6,000 landslides in monsoon according to experts.
Waterborne diseases emerge in the case of too much or too little water. Water scarcity results in poor sanitation and much of the population can be exposed to contaminated water. In a recent 2009 epidemic of diarrhea and cholera in mid-western Nepal more than 200 people lost their lives. Drought, excess rainfall and flooding can also contribute to epidemics of waterborne infectious diseases.
These are just some examples of consequences brought about by the changing climate in health but what about the health effects caused by climate change causing agents? Greenhouse gas, sunlight, warm air and pollution from power plants, coal gasoline and vehicles in combination produce ground level ozone known as smog. Exposure to smog is harmful to human health and is experienced as poor air quality. Smoggy climate is conducive for disease infection.
Outdoor air pollutants have been exceeding the national ambient air quality in most of the cities of Nepal and similar situation of indoor air quality is observed in rural parts as mentioned in the journal of Nepal Health Research Council. According to a study, about 47 percent rural and 39 percent urban women and 31 percent rural and 45 percent urban men are suffering from respiratory disorders. Rural women and urban men are more exposed to polluted environment whereas urban women are less exposed to such pollution. People living with poor air quality are in greater risk of diseases in the future.
It is expected that in December during the COP 21 Summit in Paris every country is going to commit to reduce emission rate at its best by mitigation and adaptation approach. As US President Barrack Obama announced that the US is now taking "unprecedented action" to combat climate change, he also noted that "no challenge poses a greater threat to our future and future generations than a change in climate".
Nepal is rich in natural resources to combat negative effects of climate change but due to political instability there is no progress on this front. The country should address climate change issue in the national level policy which can be applied at different public and private sectors in carrying out mitigation practices. Promoting research on climate change and human health can help mitigate possible harms. There is need of research on vectors found in different altitudinal and geographical variations. In addition, programs should be strengthened in hilly and mountains regions.
Government must be able to create a friendly environment and coordination within international and national non-governmental organizations and stakeholders including individuals to sort out the climate change induced health problems. Health workers should be trained and government bodies prepared for the emergency response.
To reduce the rate of deforestation which is a key approach of adaptation and mitigation, Nepal came with concept of community forest. It has to be empowered more to reduce the rate of deforestation. With rapid unplanned urbanization, Nepal should have water supply system in systematic manner for supply of clean and safe drinking water. Variations in climate and erratic rainfall with extreme climatic events have affected food productivity for many years. High concentration of carbon dioxide and warmer temperature in atmosphere stimulates some plants to grow faster and produce more allergens. The most common and chronic diseases can lead to lower productivity.
Nepal government should come forward with plans, actions and policies to present its needs and demands at the Paris summit. In case of health issue long term mitigation is the solution to eliminate the effects of climate change but for instant solution adaptation strategies must be developed in order to overcome effects of climatic disaster. However, the cost of coping with health risk linked to climate change are higher but better planning, strategies, policy, investment can help communities become more resilient in warming world.
The author is Program Associate at Power Shift Nepal
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