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CLIMATE change may be the biggest challenge facing us today, but, despite all inter-governmental meetings and summits, the goal of reducing carbon emission remains a distant reality. A recent report by HSBC assessed 67 countries’ vulnerability to the physical impacts of climate change, sensitivity to extreme weather temperatures and the ability to respond to the adverse fallout.
The report concluded that Pakistan is among the least prepared countries in South Asia to deal with climate change challenges. Already Pakistan has paid a heavy price for not addressing the challenge with urgency. One estimate suggests that Pakistan has incurred a loss of almost $4 billion during the last two decades on account of scores of adverse events ascribable to climate change. Sadly, Pakistan has been waking up belatedly to the threat.
The adverse effects of climate change flow from extreme temperatures, unpredictable weather events, variable rain patterns and floods and natural disasters. The broader impacts are too well known to merit further analysis here. Yet research on the climate change-related impact on health in Pakistan is in its infancy. Climate change is associated with higher air temperatures which can be a factor in heart and respiratory diseases and strokes. The elderly portion of the population is at most risk from extreme weather temperatures.
High temperatures also contribute to high levels of ozone and pollutants in the air which affect the progression of respiratory diseases. Higher concentration of pollens and other allergens, related to temperature change, can trigger asthmatic attacks.
The threat climate change poses to health must be countered.
Rising temperature and precipitation are known to adversely impact crop and agricultural productivity with knock-on effects on the nutritional status of the population. Pakistan is already facing the twin spectre of undernutrition and malnutrition, climate change can exacerbate them.
Moreover, the phenomenon affects the transmission of water- and vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue; the latter, in particular, has been regarded as a huge public health challenge in Pakistan in recent years. A WHO assessment concludes that climate change is likely to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year between 2030 and 2050. The study calculates there will be “38,000 deaths due to heat exposure in elderly people, 48,000 due to diarrhoea, 60,000 due to malaria, and 95,000 due to childhood undernutrition” as a result of climate change.
Climate-related natural disasters have increased in recent decades. This spike in natural disaster is likely to cause 60,000 deaths annually. Rising sea levels, with half the world population living within 60 kilometres of the sea, is associated with the destruction of medical services as well as increasing the range of adverse effects on mental health and communicable diseases.
Additionally, variable rain patterns are likely to affect supply of fresh, clean water. This results in water contamination, poor hygiene and diarrhoeal disease affecting mostly children, the most vulnerable group besides the elderly. The lack of water will result in famines and drought further accentuating food insecurity.
Pending a detailed study of climate change’s impact on health in Pakistan, a number of policy initiatives can be put in train to tackle health effects. First, a broader response should involve the promotion of cleaner energy systems and public transport. This should be aligned with the promotion of physical activity and discouraging the use of private transport. Together, these measures can contribute to reductions in carbon emissions and cleaner environments leading to overall health improvement.
Second, the climate change debate has so far happened without input from health professionals. To remedy this, professionals should step forward to shape the debate on health-related effects of climate change.
Third, the threat of climate change can be muted by building climate-resistant hospitals and health centres as well as devising disaster-proof water and sanitation systems.
Fourth, climate-sensitive infectious diseases require that surveillance systems be strengthened and early warning systems set up to prepare for adverse health events. This applies more to malaria, cholera and dengue which are climate-sensitive diseases.
Fifth, partnership and joint work by governments, the UN, INGOs and NGOs to address the problem is crucial as is raising awareness among the public about the consequences of climate change for human health.
Sixth, locally commissioned research on the subject must inform policy at the local level. Last, focusing on the wider public health response to climate change can go a long way in addressing the role of the wider determinants of health — safe water , safe air — that are under threat from climate change.
The writer is a public health and development consultant.
Twitter: @arifazad5
Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2018
