Environmental health risks becoming greater causes of illnesses, deaths

Rawalpindi:Climate change and environmental health risks associated with it have emerged as greater causes of illnesses and deaths around the globe and the same phenomenon is being faced by the population here in this region of the country particularly because of a shortage of rainfall recorded in the last three months or so.

The phenomenon is contributing a lot in shifting patterns of disease causing extreme weather events such as droughts while degradation of air quality is affecting food and water supplies and sanitation. It is important that the Water and Sanitation Agency Rawalpindi has already declared a drought emergency across Rawalpindi.

The shortage of rainfall has made the quality of air poorer as the air is filled with toxic particles and according to health experts, air pollution-related diseases have emerged as the worst environmental health risk for the population in this region of the country registering a significant increase in the number of patients.

Studies reveal that children become at greater risk of contracting deadlier diseases because of climate change including malaria, pneumonia, diarrhea and malnutrition. Human activities that produce greenhouse gases include an increasing number of industrial processes, combustion of fossil fuels, and emissions from power plants and vehicles. This effect has been made worse by cutting down trees and forests that help us by absorbing carbon dioxide.

It is important that the impact of droughts on agriculture may lead to malnutrition and under-nutrition. Experts say that by strengthening health resilience to climate risks, including measures such as early warning systems for more frequent and severe heat waves, and protection of water, sanitation, and hygiene services against floods and droughts, would help minimise the losses caused by the environmental health risks.

Shifting to cleaner energy sources and increase in use of public transport, walking and biking can benefit health. One can identify ways to reduce energy use and improve health through walking, cycling, using public transport, better waste management and choosing products with smaller carbon impact.

Experts say that the use of bicycles, public transport and walking instead of personal cars will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality that would certainly lead to better respiratory health and fewer premature deaths. The increase in physical activity will lead to less obesity and fewer obesity-related illnesses as well.