3. Wildfire Smoke Aggravates Respiratory Disease
Hotter temperatures and prolonged drought are fueling larger and more intense wildfires, which means increased wildfire smoke, says Alexander Rabin, MD, pulmonologist and clinical associate professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Smoke from wildfires penetrates deep into the lungs and aggravates respiratory disease more than any other type of pollution. In the short term, wildfire smoke can worsen asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and strain the heart.
Wildfire smoke can also have a long-term impact on heart disease, cancer, anxiety, and depression. There is even a link between wildfire smoke exposure and premature death.
How to Cope
4. Air Pollution Raises Risks for Asthma, COPD, and Heart Disease
“When we talk about greenhouse gas policy, we’re also talking about air quality,” says Dr. Rabin. “And air quality has immediate consequences for people’s lungs and hearts.”
Extreme heat can also increase ozone formation, compounding respiratory risks.
Carbon dioxide itself isn’t directly harmful at the levels we breathe; the issue is how quickly and in what quantities we’re adding it to the atmosphere, says Patel. “That destabilizes our climate and increases exposure to heat, smog, and wildfire smoke — and those are what harm people.”
Air pollution contributes to systemic inflammation and vascular damage, affecting not just the lungs but also the heart, brain, and kidneys.
How to Cope
If you have asthma or COPD, use an air filtering system indoors when air quality is poor, if possible, and avoid going outdoors. If you do need to go outside, consider wearing an effective face mask.
5. Floods and Storms Bring Injury and Mental Health Strain
Global warming increases the severity and frequencies of storms and floods, which cause thousands of deaths and economic losses, says William Rom, MD, MPH, global distinguished professor of environmental health at NYU School of Global Public Health in New York City.
Climate models show that heavy rainfall events are increasing, raising flood risk in many regions.
Floods can also disrupt access to medications and time-sensitive treatments, increasing risk for people with chronic disease. Natural disasters and extreme weather have also been shown to worsen healthcare disparities among more vulnerable people, such as elderly adults or marginalized communities that already have less access to care.
How to Cope
6. Warmer Weather Is Expanding Infectious Disease
“Warmer temperatures can also affect how quickly some pathogens grow and replicate — like, for example, some of the bacteria that cause food poisoning,” says Dr. Rudolph.
Rudolph also points out that climate change can cause both animals and humans to migrate, putting people into contact with germs they may not have encountered before.
“As the planet gets hotter, some animals are moving toward the poles, coming into contact for the first time with different animals, and in some cases with people,” she says. That has been the case, for instance, with the lone star tick, which is responsible for spreading a condition known as alpha gal syndrome.
“We also know that deforestation — which is also a significant cause of climate change — is causing a loss of natural habitats and making animals move to new areas, where they might share germs with people or other animals,” she says.
How to Cope
7. More Pollen May Worsen Allergies and Skin Diseases
“Warmer temperatures also mean that plants produce more pollen, and many people who suffer from allergies are finding that their allergies are worse and the allergy season is longer,” Rudolph says.
Carbon pollution and warmer temperatures make plants produce more pollen over longer growing seasons. In fact, scientists have suggested that average pollen counts in 2040 will be more than double what they were in 2000.
How to Cope
8. Air Pollution May Increase the Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease
Fine particulate matter — the microscopic pollution released when fossil fuels are burned — may raise the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, says Patel.
In a large national study of older Americans, higher long-term exposure to particulate matter was linked with an increased likelihood of developing this neurodegenerative illness.
The tiny particles appear to trigger inflammation and damage blood vessels, processes that also seem to play a role in neurodegeneration. The association was slightly stronger among people who had previously experienced a stroke, suggesting that underlying vascular disease may increase vulnerability.
Researchers concluded that improving air quality could be an important tool to prevent dementia.
How to Cope
Take steps to avoid pollution by limiting outside time when air quality is poor, and if possible, choose air filters and an air purifying system to improve the air you breathe when indoors. Consider wearing an effective face mask outdoors.
More Tips for Protecting Yourself
In addition to voting for political candidates who are committed to reducing the risks posed by climate change, you can protect your physical and mental health and minimize the health hazards you and your community face in the following ways:
Improve the Air Inside Your Home
Rethink Transportation When You Can
Reduce Waste and Shift Food Choices
Take Care of Your Mental Health
The World Health Organization recognizes that climate change poses serious risks to mental health and well-being. This can include increased anxiety, depression, grief and suicidal behavior.
The Takeaway
- Climate change is already affecting health, contributing to more heat-related deaths, wildfire smoke exposure, and air pollution–related illness, and experts expect weakening pollution protections will increase those risks.
- Extreme heat and poor air quality can worsen heart and lung disease and disrupt sleep, and may raise the risk of dementia.
- Older adults, children, pregnant people, and those with chronic conditions are especially vulnerable. Having a heat and air-quality plan can lower personal risk.
- Steps like improving indoor air, preparing for extreme weather, and reducing everyday pollution exposure can protect both your health and your community.
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