Climate Change Poses Several Health Risks

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“WHO. Changes in the global climate bring a variety of risks to health, from deaths in extreme high temperatures to changing patterns of infectious diseases.”

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Note from author: The consequences of climate change affect not only our environment and livelihood on the planet in general, but does also endanger human health in a number of ways. Increasing droughts, extreme heatwaves, floods etc. expose people (and, all life on Earth) to e.g. tropical diseases. Natural disasters are followed-up by more risks of e.g. diarrhea and many other diseases. In addition, due to thawing permafrost in the Arctic regions we may be facing surprising health problems since decayed plants and animals get exposed, releasing e.g. methane which is at least 25 times as powerful as a greenhouse gas compared to carbon dioxide. Who knows for sure what lies ahead of us?

Following video, published by Climate State, discusses The Health Risks of Climate Change:

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How Well Protected Is Our Ozone Layer?

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“EC Climate Action. Environment fact sheet. Ozone layer protection: The ozone layer is crucial for life on Earth, protecting us from harmful UV rays. Experts blame ozone-layer depletion on man-made chemical. For more information, see the Montreal Protocol.”

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Note from author: The original Montreal Protocol entered into force on January 1st, 1989, with the purpose of eliminated the use of ozone depleting substances (ODC), acting as a ratified international environmental agreement. (UNDP – Montreal ProtocolThe Montreal Protocol On Substances That Deplete The Ozone Layer).

Despite of the significant achievements and protection the Montreal Protocol has given, we still face many challenges. Although the ozone layer has been basically completely repaired in some parts of the world, keeping back and protecting us from harmful UV rays, there are regions at especially high risk, such as Antarctica.

UN Environment has published following video, The Antarctic Ozone Hole – From Discovery to Recovery, a Scientific Journey:

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Why Does Agriculture Emit So Much Greenhouse Gases?

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“Worldwatch Institute. Vision for a Sustainable World. Agriculture is the 3rd largest contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions by sector, following the burning of fossil fuels for power and heat, and transportation.”

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Note from author: According to research, agriculture is the 2nd (or, 3rd) largest greenhouse gas emitter of all industries. This may be a surprise to many who are not aware of how and why agricultural production releases e.g. so much carbon dioxide. The main causes to agriculture releasing so much greenhouse gas emissions include:

  • the release of nitrous oxide from different farming techniques
  • fertilizer manufacture
  • refrigeration
  • post-production: storage and transport

(Vermeulen, S. J.Campbell, B. M. & Ingram, J. S. I. Annu. Rev. Environ. Resour. 37195222(2012).).

Furthermore, according to FAO: Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use, there is a continuing growth in greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, with Asia being the largest emitter (44%), followed by the Americas (25%), Africa (15%), Europe (12%) and Oceania (4%). Livestock-related emissions from enteric fermentation and manure contributed almost 2/3 of total emissions:

  • enteric fermentation (40%)
  • manure left on pasture (16%)
  • synthetic fertilizers (10%)
  • paddy rice (10%)
  • manure management (7%)
  • burning of savannahs (5%)

(FAO. Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use).

Simply explained, animal farming contributes to much higher levels of greenhouse gas emissions compared to e.g. crops. Not only because agriculture first produces crops in order to feed animals. The longer the food chain, including storage and transportation, the higher the amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. This is why FAO in its recently updated strategy urges to sustainable food production, and a reason for choosing as many local products as possible, including consumption according to seasonal variations.
The following video material, Life Cycle Assessment and Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Animal Agriculture, published by Livestock & Poultry Environmental Learning Center, explains how this works:
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Why Are We Raping Our Soils?

Global Climate Change (65)

“NSW Government. Office of Environment & Heritage. Examples of soil degradation: water erosion, wind erosion, salinity, loss of organic matter, fertility decline, soil acidity or alkalinity, structure decline, mass movement, soil contamination.”

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Note from author: In addition to air pollution, ocean acidification, ruthless geoengineering, lack of recycling and a number of other environmental problems we are facing on our planet, you have to start taking soil degradation seriously. Why? Let me list a couple of hard facts:

  • Soil degradation through a number of activities, such as poor soil management, leads to serious problems that affects us all. It is not something that just occurs to your nasty neighbor or someone who lives in another country. If you have not yet realized this, let me get straight to the point: Unless you are a 100% self-sufficient farmer, you depend on about half of the world every day, even before your breakfast has been served. Think about that.
  • The more we rape our soils around the world, the less will we be able to produce. In addition, when we pollute our skies and water sources, the same pollution ultimately ends up in our soils. So stop being a co-criminal of raping our Earth´s ecosystems and make sure to take responsibility for your consumption and behavior.

If this was not enough of argument to convince you, watch this video:

 

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What Is Happening To Our Soils?

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“NSW Government. Office of Environment & Heritage. Soil degradation, a serious environmental problem, is the decline in soil condition caused by its improper use or poor management, usually for agricultural, industrial or urban purposes.”

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Note from author: When speaking about soil degradation, we refer to a number of different factors affecting the quality of soils by making them become less healthy e.g. through losing nutrients. The reasons for soil degradation vary, including physical, biological and chemical factors, deforestation, misuse of fertilizers, industrial and mining activities, improper cultivation practices, urbanization, and overgrazing. (EF. Conserve Energy Future).

According to the FAO and the UN, it takes 1.000 years to create three centimeters of top soil. If the current development continues at this rate, we have only 60 years left of agriculture. (Scientific American). Alone in India, as an example, soil degradation has become an overall serious problem, endangering the whole agricultural sector. (Sustainability 2015 – Soil Degradation in India: Challenges and Potential Solutions).

Needless to say, if we do not take urgent action(s) around the world to solve environmental problems, including how we treat our air, land and water sources, we will not have much time left on this planet.

Learn more about soil degradation by watching e.g. this video published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations:

 

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Why Is Plastic Pollution So Harmful?

Global Climate Change (63)

“EF. Conserve Energy Future. Plastic pollution is when plastic has gathered in an area and has begun to negatively impact the natural environment and create problems for plants, wildlife and even human population.”

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Note from author: Plastic pollution has become a serious problem around the globe, so serious that some countries, including Bangladesh, many countries in the African continent and so on, have either COMPLETELY banned the use of plastic or the use of plastic bags. It takes decades for a plastic bag to decay, and up to 450 years for a plastic bottle. It is devastating to see plastic items being thrown into nature e.g. here in Finland, and hear about the amount of plastic that ends up in our oceans each year. It is incomprehensible that many people lack the understanding about why throwing plastic waste into nature, much of which ends up in our oceans, is so damaging for our ecosystem.

Each year, thousands, or even millions of birds/sea animals DIE because of the plastic that human beings throw into nature, and if they do not die, they end up consuming our plastic waste, which ultimately ends up on our food plates. The next time you personally consume a portion of fish for example, take a moment to think about the fact that the fish you eat might have been polluted by toxic plastic waste that people throw into nature, and into our oceans, all the time. All chemicals and toxins are not visible to the human eye.

There are many efforts around the world to decrease plastic waste, including the complete ban of plastic waste in many countries, followed by the effort to minimize plastic waste e.g. by restricting the use of plastic bags and replace those with other options, recycling plastic (excellent!) so that consumers can bring their plastic waste to recycling to clear their conscience. There are even serious efforts to clean up our oceans from plastic waste, such as The Ocean CleanUp Project:

 

This young man has come up with a very brave idea, but he is smart enough to turn this idea into reality. Very impressive. Of course we have to thank everyone who is smart enough to minimize their plastic use, everyone who makes an effort to recycle plastic, everyone who cleans up the beaches, the lakes, the oceans and the nature from plastic waste. It is just devastating that some people take the freedom to pollute the environment carelessly, while others take the time to (mostly on a voluntary basis) clean up the mess caused by thoughtless individuals.

 

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Why Are Our Oceans Becoming More Acidic?

Global Climate Change (62)

“NOAA (National Ocean Service). Ocean acidification refers to a reduction in the pH of the ocean, caused primarily by uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.”

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Note from author: Greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide, decreases the pH balance of our world´s oceans since a significant amount of these greenhouse gases are being absorbed e.g. by oceans. Ocean acidification, according to National Geographic, endangers both shelled animals and causes reproductive disorders in some fish species.

In the following Ted Talk Rob Dunbar speaks to us about The Threat of Ocean Acidification:

 

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Why Is Deforestation So Detrimental?

Global Climate Change (61)

“National Geographic. Deforestation: Forests cover about 30% of the Planet, but deforestation is clearing Earth´s forests on a massive scale. At the current rate, the world´s rain forests could completely vanish in 100 years.”

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Note from author: The following article was published by Christopher Searles, Founder and President at BioIntegrity, LLC:

Least Expensive Way to Reduce CO2

and definitely worth reading to understand better what kind of a role tropical forests have in the Earth´s ecosystem. Of course, all forests are equally important. Deforestation and the loss of forests through e.g. forest fires/wildfires is extremely detrimental to our environment, already since a lost forest is not so quickly replaced.

Following video discusses the causes, problems and conservation techniques of deforestation:

 

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What Is Geoengineering?

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“Oxford Geoengineering Programme. What is Geoengineering? Geoengineering is the deliberate large-scale intervention in the Earth´s natural systems to counteract climate change.”

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GeoEngineering Watch :

“Geoengineering is the artificial modification of Earth´s climate systems through two primary ideologies, Solar Radiation Management (SRM) and Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR). (GeoEngineering Watch. Quoted October 4. 2017).

Climate Change Is Here. It´s Time To Talk About Geoengineering:

“Geoengineering is a dirty word many climate scientists and climate policy experts avoid, because humans meddling with nature doesn’t have the best track record. Geoengineering strategies generally fall into two categories: removing carbon dioxide and reducing heat”. (Wired.com. Nick Stockton. 07.20.17).

Scientific American: What Is Geoengineering and Why Is It Considered a Climate Change Solution?

Watch the following video, Geo Engineering Documentary 2016 by GeoEngineering Watch:

 

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Tips For Taking Climate Action

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“Scientific American. David Biello. November 26, 2007. What to do about climate change? Forego fossil fuels, Infrastructure Upgrade, Move Closer to Work, Consume Less, Be Efficient, Eat Smart/Go Vegetarian?, Stop Cutting Down Trees, Unplug, One Child, Future Fuels, Experiment Earth.”

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There are many ways of making (small) adjustments as both an individual, a business, as a society and as a country to protect our environment, starting from changing legislation/regulations, improving production and packaging, using better materials and recycling. While in many countries majority of waste ends up in land fills, Sweden has become so efficient in recycling that the country is even IMPORTING waste, having made it into a lucrative business by using waste as a source of energy:

 

 

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