Increasingly, it is becoming more and more obvious that our planet’s climate is changing. The consequences of this change are affecting the health of our environment and the well-being of all of us. And because of this, it is important for us to know more about the threats of climate change and what we can do about them.
Health
Various health threats associated with climate change are afoot, and many people are still unaware of the extent of those threats. Some examples include: climate-related crop failure, extreme weather events, water-borne diseases, infectious diseases, mental health, and security risks. A review of literature found that most health professionals are familiar with the concept of climate change, but many still lack an understanding of the implications for health.
Although climate change may be responsible for some of the health problems that already exist, it will exacerbate others. It alters population movements, increases exposure to extreme weather events, and changes the environment’s suitability for infectious disease transmission. Some of these threats will be more severe for people with pre-existing medical conditions, and will be worse for vulnerable populations.
Some examples of climate-related health hazard are: heat-related mortality, increased exposure to extreme weather events, and increasing ranges of mosquito-borne diseases. Fortunately, we can mitigate these risks. However, we need more research to understand what risks we can prevent and how best to predict them.
The report also points to the importance of communication as a tool for climate change intervention. For example, providing normative information about climate change could lead to more people taking action to reduce emissions.
Another good idea is to encourage more health professionals to engage in climate change advocacy. A recent survey found that more than 60 percent of respondents believed climate change will worsen health conditions. However, many reported that they did not feel that they were adequately prepared to take action. Some health professionals have taken steps to address this issue by providing additional training or by recruiting more volunteers to speak up for climate change policies.
Climate change will also exacerbate existing health problems, such as increasing the risk of injury and premature death. Some examples include: increased exposure to heat, higher rates of respiratory illnesses, increased incidence of mental health disorders, and increased risk of malaria.
The biggest challenge to overcoming health threats related to climate change is the lack of funding for research and policy. Countries must find ways to redirect resources toward health adaptation, and the world’s economies must change course to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.
National security
Despite decades of denial, climate change is becoming an important security priority for the U.S. According to a recent report, the United States will soon face a host of threats associated with climate change. Among the risks are climate-driven migration, food and water shortages, and the risk of war.
The Department of Defense has been working to integrate climate considerations into military operations. The Pentagon’s “Climate Change Adaptation Roadmap” released on 13 October outlines the department’s efforts to enhance resilience. It also notes that climate change has already begun to affect the Department’s mission readiness.
The Defense Department’s new Arctic strategy identified climate change as an important priority. It also points out that sea level rise will exacerbate traditional security threats.
The Pentagon also reported that changes in precipitation patterns will become an important risk. These changes are also predicted to cause a rise in extreme weather events. This may affect the readiness of U.S. military forces, particularly those in coastal regions.
Another report, the Worldwide Threat Assessment, found that the effects of climate change will exacerbate social and economic instability. It also found that global ecological degradation will fuel economic distress. The Pentagon’s report also noted that a changing climate will amplify strategic competition in the Arctic.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also recently announced its own commitment to addressing climate change. DHS will focus on two major areas, sea level rise and other climate impacts.
DHS will also focus on planning for the future, and on ensuring the safety and security of all communities. The department will also report on threats to water security and critical infrastructure. It should also test critical systems in a scenario-based stress environment.
The Military Advisory Board, a group of highly respected retired generals and admirals, released a report on the risks of climate change. The group has faced its fair share of challenges in recent years, from a Soviet nuclear threat to extremism.
The National Intelligence Estimate is a joint assessment of 18 intelligence agencies. It’s the first to explore the link between climate change and national security. The report found that “all risks are likely to increase as the climate changes.”
Natural and human systems
Coastal communities and other natural systems are vulnerable to climate change. This vulnerability varies depending on social, economic, and environmental factors. It is important to understand the broader system and how its components interact. This can inform evidence-based policymaking.
A systems approach is a framework for understanding and managing environmental issues. It focuses on the complexity and dynamic nature of human-environment interactions. A systems approach also incorporates consideration of natural variability in climate. This is important because climate change affects human health in numerous ways.
The Fourth National Climate Assessment has a chapter on health effects of climate change. The chapter describes how climate change impacts health and how people are disproportionately affected by climate-related health risks. It also describes health threats associated with extreme weather events. The report also highlights some of the most vulnerable groups, including low-income communities and older adults.
A systems approach is important to consider because climate change is increasing the risk of droughts, floods, and food-borne infectious diseases. This increases the vulnerability of populations, including children, older adults, and communities of color. It also increases the risks of climate-sensitive diseases. It also adds to existing tensions.
Climate change affects the natural hydrological cycle and the ability of the atmosphere to hold more water. These effects also increase risks of extinction for vulnerable species. It also increases the risk of floods, which can damage infrastructure and health care facilities. The rate at which sea level rises can affect coastal community vulnerability. The rate at which the Greenland Ice Sheet melts could raise global sea level up to 3 meters over the next 1,000 years.
This research is important to understanding how to better manage coastal communities and other natural systems. Research is needed to identify redundant systems, as well as to identify more resilient materials. A systems approach can also provide a new way of thinking about environmental issues.
The United States Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) marshals resources across participating agencies and coordinates similar efforts in other nations. It has developed a research program on interconnected systems, which provides a framework for studying the relationship between natural and human systems.
Insurers’ responsibilities
Increasingly, climate change is affecting the insurance industry. Insurers need to understand the risk associated with climate change and use this knowledge to help their organizations adapt. Insurers also need to manage climate-related liabilities in their investment portfolios.
Insurers can take steps to mitigate climate-related risks, such as developing new products, increasing transition risk, and developing new ways to protect businesses and communities from systemic catastrophes. These actions will help insurers develop a strong and stable market.
Climate-related risks can affect insurers’ underwriting and pricing models. Frequent catastrophic events can make insuring risk unfeasible, and can threaten insurers’ business models. Insurers must also assess and monitor their exposure to climate-related risks, and stress-test their portfolios. Insurers must demonstrate to regulators that they are ready to mitigate climate-related risks.
A number of state regulators are watching climate-related risks closely. Many of them expect these risks to increase. Among the most common examples of climate-related risks to insurers are extreme weather events. These events increase the risk of catastrophic events, and can cause large premium increases. Insurers can reduce the risk of catastrophic events by developing innovative insurance solutions, such as parametric pricing.
Insurers must also demonstrate that they understand the risks associated with climate change. Insurers can stress-test their exposure to climate-related risks, rebalance their portfolios, and use their existing business models to respond to emerging risks. They can also invest in sustainable infrastructure to increase resiliency.
A global campaign called Insure Our Future urges insurers to cut off support for new fossil fuel projects, and calls on insurers to divest from fossil fuels. Investing in sustainable infrastructure will not only improve resiliency, but it may also contribute to job creation.
Insurers must also continue to support climate change research. Several companies have already announced initiatives to address climate change. For example, the US Securities and Exchange Commission released a proposal in March for mandatory climate disclosure requirements. Insurers should support climate change research and demonstrate to regulators that they are ready to manage climate-related risks.
Insurers must also demonstrate that their management of climate-related risks is effective, and that they are transparent about the risks that they are taking. The report suggests that insurers should make climate change forecasts available to the public.
