GS Paper 2
Syllabus: Environment Conservation/ Social Justice/ Health
Source: The Hindu
Direction: This is taken from the explained section of the Hindu. Previously we covered it as FFP, but here we are providing analysis.
Context: As countries gather in Egypt for the ongoing COP27, a recent Lancet report traces in detail the intimate link between climate change and its influence on people’s health.
Highlights of the 2022 Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change:
- Overview:
- Climate change is not an isolated incident, but a global phenomenon, leaving its impact on almost every aspect of life.
- While countries are still dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and continued reliance on fossil fuels has driven the world into global energy and cost-of-living issues.
- The world’s reliance on fossil fuels increases the risk of disease, food insecurity and other illnesses related to heat.
- As these crises develop, climate change accelerates, altering the foundations of human health and welfare.
- Health and climate change:
- The rapidly increasing temperatures exposed people, especially vulnerable populations to more heatwaves in 2021 than annually between 1986–2005.
- The changing climate is affecting the spread of infectious diseases. For example, coastal waters are becoming more suited for the transmission of Vibrio pathogens.
- Food security and climate change:
- Higher temperatures threaten crop yields directly, with the growing season shortening for many cereal crops.
- Extreme weather events disrupt supply chains, thereby undermining food availability, access, stability and utilisation.
Way ahead:
- The pace and scale of climate change adaptation, planning and resilience need to be increased.
- An accelerated transition to clean energy forms, balanced and more plant-based diets.
- Spreading awareness through media campaigns.
- The government’s commitment to assess and address the threats from climate change.
Conclusion: A health-centred response through global coordination, funding, transparency and cooperation to reduce the vulnerabilities that the world is otherwise exposed to is the need of the hour.
Insta Links:
Climate change amplifying health impacts
Mains Links:
Q. Analyse the growing impacts of climate change on India. Are the steps taken so far adequate enough to tackle climate change?
