There is compelling evidence that global warming’s effect on humans is sizable and multifaceted. This phenomenon, which is caused largely by human activity, changes the natural environment, thereby releasing the carcinogen carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In turn, this alters the climate, affects crops, and thereby disrupts the livelihoods of millions of people around the world. In extreme cases, global warming can cause weather events such as hurricanes and floods, endangering human lives and leading to the displacement of communities.
The most obvious effects of global warming on humans are environmental. For instance, rising temperatures cause an increase in the number of heat-related illnesses, increased numbers of storms and floods, and extreme weather events such as droughts in some regions. These mortality incidents displace people, wreaking havoc on their quality of life, and making them prone to poverty and hunger. Additionally, the resulting natural disasters can lead to the destruction of property and infrastructure, further decreasing the affected people’s quality of life.
Furthermore, long-term global warming is also likely to contribute to a number of other problems. Research suggests that a rise in temperatures could lead to the expansion of disease hotspots, cause changes in the abundance and nutrition of food, lead to changes in the atmosphere, and threaten environmental balance and biodiversity. These outcomes can have serious repercussions on human health and the economy, since they can cause shortages of resources and collapse of complex ecosystems.
Though some experts hold that global warming may have benefits—such as reducing the risk of heart and respiratory diseases, improved crop productions, and higher water levels for agriculture—experts warn that its effects can cause much more damage than temporary respite from cold winters. For instance, higher levels of carbon dioxide are linked to lower levels of oxygen in the atmosphere. Aside from being very uncomfortable, prolonged exposure to lower levels of oxygen can lead to an increase in the risk of respiratory conditions and various other health issues.
The impacts of global warming on humans are varied and far-reaching. To reduce its damaging effects, governments and individuals must meet their responsibilities and take action. This calls for reducing emissions and making a genuine effort to address the problem of climate change. Additionally, it is important to promote adaptation and resilience to climate change by introducing measures such as relocating affected communities, adopting alternative farming methods and providing financial aid.
There is no time to waste in undertaking decisive action to prevent global warming. The costs of inaction are just too high, and not only to the natural environment: they affect all living beings, including humans.
