Assessing the influence of Climate Change on Human Health and Environment

The advent of climate change has been brought about due to the change in weather factors (precipitation, temperature, humidity, wind, etc) over an extended period of time. The change in climate has been evidential based on its consequences such as extreme weather events, increasing temperatures, increasing violent nature of natural disasters and phenomena such as desertification. The change in climate has impacted negatively on human health and the environment. The paper adopted literature review approach, where the works of researchers in related topics were reviewed by the researchers and a position taken based on the extent to which climate change affects human health and the environment. This paper delved into the concept of climate change, its causes, the relationship between climate change, human health and environmental degradation, challenges in addressing the adverse effect of climate change on human health and environmental degradation and, lastly, adaptation/mitigation strategies for ameliorating the effect of climate change on each of human health and the environment. It was discovered from the study that climate change is a global challenge with significant adverse health effects, including the spread of vector-borne diseases, heat stress, respiratory illnesses, and mental health issues. Climate change also affects the environment in terms of species diversity loss, habitat decimation and the loss of protected species and habitats. It exacerbates existing health inequities, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. It was recommended among others that climate change awareness campaigns should be carried out by government, NGOs, stakeholders, corporate and individuals on the causes, effects and some mitigation strategies in the communities.

Keywords: Climate change, human health, environment, species loss, habitat decimation and global warming