Global warming affects our health

Global warming affects our health

July 15, 2008

The Group of Eight (G8), consisting of the most industrialized countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Great Britain, Russia, and the U.S.), discussed climate change at their summit in Japan on July 9. An agreement was made that by 2050, gas emissions would be cut by 50%. The one thing missing was a plan as to how it was going to be done.

Global warming can have severe effects, including an increase in natural disasters such as hurricanes. It also can increase evaporation, which can cause heavier rainfall, which in turn can cause more erosion. Sea levels can rise and glaciers can melt. It can even make the ocean’s temperatures rise, making it harder for the ocean to absorb excess carbon dioxide.

In addition to all of these possible environmental effects, global warming will also have a definite negative effect on people’s health and welfare, according a report issued on Monday by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) . Despite the warnings contained in this report, the Bush administration will not proceed with plans for cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Instead, they are asking for public comment on ideas on how to reduce the greenhouse gases based on the Clean Air Act of 1970.

But how could the change in weather not affect our health or welfare? The increase in natural disasters over the past ten years has affected the health and welfare of many people by destroying their homes. The EPA has an entire page on their Web site describing all the health effects of global warming. Natural disasters can also increase the spread of infectious disease such as malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, and encephalitis. The severe weather, such as heat waves and floods, can affect the growth of agriculture. Even animals are affected by the increasing temperatures. If they cannot adapt to the extreme environment changes, they can face extinction.

All of these effects are not big risks yet, but are projected to increase over the years to come. So by the year 2050, our environment may have become unrecognizable. Hopefully the G8 or the EPA will have come up with a plan to cut gas emissions by then.

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