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Publication: New India Express
Edition: National | Date : February 16, 2020
Experts and WHO suggest that climate change has caused some critical health problems. Drastic changes in our weather and environment have significantly affected our health. Failing crops have led to more malnutrition in developing countries.
Between 2030 and 2050, climate change is feared to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and heat stress. The world has already been severely affected by flooding, erosion, massive bushfires and extreme weather events.
In India, all the major cities are severely affected by pollution. In 2019, Delhi witnessed a spike in respiratory and heart-related issues.
Mumbai has recorded very poor air quality while Bengaluru’s lakes are severely polluted. According to experts, the city may become uninhabitable by 2025.
Those who live in these polluted cities have higher risks of severe health problems. Since a healthy body and a healthy planet are two sides of the same coin, we should take actions that would benefit our health as well as that of the planet. For example, walking or cycling instead of driving benefits our health as well as protects the environment.
Similarly, eating more plant-based food instead of red meat is not just beneficial for the planet but also helps us maintain a healthy body.
Whenever possible, one should focus on growing local vegetables, using renewable energy, avoiding smoking and staying physically active. These actions will help in the recovery of our ailing environment, as well as help us reduce risks of heart disease, lung cancer, obesity and other diseases.
