Since the Industrial Revolution, human activities have increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration by over 40%. Carbon emissions are the primary reason for climate change. However, it impacts not only the environment but also human health. Air pollution alone is responsible for 6.7 million premature deaths annually, with significant contributions from fossil fuel combustion. Thus, there is an undeniable link between carbon emissions and public health, which we will discuss in detail.

The first vital point of discussion is the ripple effect, which causes the effects of climate change to lead to a variety of illnesses in humans. The ripple effect is usually characteristic of four broad illnesses -

• Respiratory Illnesses - Emissions release harmful pollutants like particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone into the atmosphere. These pollutants irritate and inflame the respiratory system, triggering inflammation and bronchial constriction, making it difficult to breathe. This can lead to increased wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and hospital admissions for asthma sufferers. Long-term exposure to air pollution can contribute to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a progressive lung disease characterized by airflow limitation. Air pollution is also carcinogenic and can cause lung cancer.
• Cardiovascular Diseases - Pollutants can damage blood vessels, increase inflammation, and contribute to the formation of blood clots. This can increase the chances of a heart attack or a stroke. Rising temperatures associated with climate change can lead to heat stress, placing additional strain on the heart and circulatory system. This can increase the risk of heatstroke and worsen existing cardiovascular conditions.
• Mental Health Impacts - Witnessing the effects of climate change, such as extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and environmental degradation that are happening due to carbon emissions can trigger feelings of anxiety, helplessness, and fear about the future. This can lead to chronic stress, impacting mental well-being and overall quality of life. Extreme weather events and rising sea levels can displace individuals from their homes and communities, leading to psychological trauma, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Waterborne Diseases - Climate change can alter rainfall patterns, leading to floods and droughts. Floods can contaminate water sources with sewage and other pollutants, while droughts can limit access to clean water. Contaminated water sources increase the risk of outbreaks of various waterborne diseases, like diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid fever, and other intestinal illnesses.

The burden of these health impacts falls disproportionately on vulnerable populations. Low- and middle-income countries, often with limited resources and weaker healthcare systems, face greater challenges in coping with the consequences of carbon emissions. Low- and middle-income countries pay the heaviest toll, accounting for 91% of premature deaths related to air pollution. Additionally, marginalized communities within wealthier nations often face higher exposure to environmental hazards and have fewer resources to adapt. For example, African Americans are 34% more likely than non- African Americans to reside in locations with the greatest expected increases in paediatric asthma owing to climate-related particulate matter changes.

The severe effects on public health require drastic measures to be taken to ensure a safe and healthy population. Some steps to put this into action are -

• Shifting away from Fossil Fuels - Reducing the use of fossil fuels through the use of sustainable alternatives will reduce emissions due to their minimum environmental impact. There are also long-term cost benefits to transitioning into renewable energy.
• Improving Energy Efficiency - Implementing energy-saving measures across various sectors can significantly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and associated emissions. The use of public transport, upgrading insulation and lighting systems, and promoting energy-efficient appliances can support this.
• Better Medical Infrastructure - Seeing as the transition to renewable energy will take time and the majority of people who are suffering from this problem are the low and middle-income groups of society, it is imperative to provide more accessible and affordable healthcare.
• Policy and Reporting - The government can set the tone for emission reduction through policies and institutionalise reporting of emissions to increase accountability of emissions-creating sectors.

As we continue to make the transition towards a greener and cleaner economy by using renewable sources of energy and alternative fuels, Sustainiam’s products provide the solution to benefit from this transition. Through their Certificate Issuance Platform (CiP), companies can obtain credible Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for their projects. Using their upcoming product EmX, Sustainiam streamlines the process of trading certificates to offset the emissions produced. This provides incentive to invest in renewable energy sources and alternative fuels for projects, thus accelerating the transition. Now that we have also become victims to climate change, we must make changes and reduce our carbon footprints. Our own actions are now coming around in the form of deadly diseases and the inability to function at full capacity. It is in our best interest take action against climate change.