How climate change is harming your health—and what you can do about it

As we navigate our daily lives, one of the most subtle yet significant contributors to the deterioration of our health often goes unnoticed.

This is primarily due to the worsening effects of climate change, which we tend to attribute to weather fluctuations.

What we fail to recognise, however, is that it is our own actions driving this shift.

Acknowledging this reality is the first step toward becoming more aware of climate change and understanding the ways we can reverse its impact.

Before we explore solutions, let’s take a moment to consider how climate change is already affecting our health:

1. THAT PERSISTENT COUGH? IT COULD BE THE CLIMATE

Rising temperatures caused by climate change lead to hotter weather and stagnant air.

This occurs when cooler air near the ground is trapped beneath a layer of warmer air, with no cooler air from higher altitudes to circulate due to the hot weather.

Under normal conditions, warm air rises, creating circulation.

However, during a temperature inversion, the warm air acts like a "lid," preventing cooler air from rising and mixing, which would otherwise help disperse pollutants.

When pollutants accumulate in the areas where we breathe, they contribute to poor air quality, which over time can worsen respiratory issues.

This can exacerbate asthma and heart disease, particularly for those with pre-existing conditions, such as allergies.

Short-term solutions include using air purifiers, wearing masks, and avoiding outdoor activities during high-pollution periods.

Staying hydrated also helps keep the airways clear.

By taking small actions, we can mitigate the effects of climate change on our health.

2. THAT MOSQUITO REPELLENT NOT HELPING? BLAME THE WARMER TEMPERATURES

Mosquitoes are cold-blooded creatures, meaning their development is directly influenced by external temperatures.

Warmer conditions accelerate their life cycle, leading to more mosquitoes hatching.

These conditions also increase their activity levels, as higher temperatures stimulate their metabolic rate and chemical reactions.

Aedes mosquitoes, which carry dengue fever, mature faster and bite more frequently in warmer temperatures, leading to a higher risk of transmission.

Additionally, climate change causes erratic rainfall patterns due to increased evaporation, shifting wind patterns and changing ocean currents.

Areas that are already wet become wetter, while dry regions experience more severe droughts.

In humid regions with intensified monsoons, stagnant water creates ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, leading to more outbreaks.

Warmer temperatures also speed up bacterial growth, raising the risk of foodborne and waterborne diseases, such as cholera, typhoid and E. coli infections.

These public health risks are intensifying, as evidenced by record-breaking dengue outbreaks in Malaysia in recent years.

3. YOU MIGHT NEED MORE THAN JUST SUNGLASSES ON A SUNNY DAY

Climate change and rising global temperatures are exacerbating the intensity of heatwaves in already hot regions.

In these conditions, the body struggles to cool itself, leading to an increased risk of heatstroke, dehydration and kidney disease.

Prolonged exposure to extreme heat also puts additional strain on the cardiovascular system, as the heart works harder to regulate body temperature.

For those working outdoors or in uncooled environments, there is a heightened risk of heat stress, which can impair work productivity and even result in fatal conditions.

Extreme heat can also affect cognitive function, leading to mental fatigue and irritability.

4. THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON MENTAL HEALTH

Climate change takes a toll on mental well-being, particularly for individuals exposed to extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and storms.

These experiences trigger the body’s stress response, leading to increased levels of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Eco-anxiety, or the chronic fear of environmental catastrophe, is also affecting many, particularly younger generations.

The constant media coverage of worsening climate conditions and environmental destruction contributes to feelings of helplessness and distress.

5. RISING FOOD PRICES? CLIMATE CHANGE IS MAKING FOOD SCARCER

Global warming is disrupting agricultural cycles, with rising temperatures and erratic rainfall compromising crop yields.

This leads to a reduction in food production, which, in turn, drives up food prices, affecting staple items such as rice, vegetables and fruits.

Studies also show that crops grown in high-carbon dioxide conditions contain fewer nutrients, meaning that even as food becomes scarce, the remaining supply is of declining nutritional quality.

This phenomenon could lead to hidden hunger, where individuals consume enough calories but lack essential vitamins and minerals.

6. WATER SHORTAGES AND CUTS? CLIMATE CHANGE IS EXACERBATING THE CRISIS

Erratic rainfall patterns and prolonged droughts are depleting freshwater sources more rapidly.

While some regions struggle to secure water due to droughts, flooding also contaminates water treatment systems and rising sea levels lead to saltwater intrusion into freshwater reserves.

7. ITCHY SKIN OR RASHES? BLAME CLIMATE CHANGE

The increased humidity associated with global warming creates a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, heightening the risk of skin infections.

Higher air pollution levels, along with prolonged exposure to airborne irritants, can trigger conditions such as eczema, rashes and hives, particularly in individuals with sensitive skin or allergies.

Additionally, the depletion of the ozone layer leads to increased UV radiation, which contributes to skin cancer and premature ageing.

TIME TO SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE

It’s important to recognise that the everyday challenges we face are interconnected with the environment.

While we often blame the weather, the broader issue is that these weather patterns are influenced by climate change, which is largely driven by human activities.

The next time you find yourself battling a persistent cough, enduring unbearable heat, or witnessing rising food prices, it might be time to reconsider the role our actions play in exacerbating these problems.

Change starts with small steps—such as reducing plastic use, opting for public transport to reduce emissions, and conserving energy that can collectively help slow down climate change.

Remember, the choices we make today will shape the health of tomorrow.