Environmental issues aren't just affecting children in poor countries. As the Asthma Mom points out in her blog of the same name, issues such as air quality are having a negative impact on children worldwide, notably her young daughter. The health issues of a loved one have spawned this mom to take action and push for change, as well as educate other parents who dealing with the same here. Here, she talks about other health issues associated with climate change.

I can’t say this enough: Asthma sufferers like AG are the canaries in this potential coal mine of a planet.

Her respiratory issues may prompt me to advocate for clean, renewable energy and conservation more so than some lucky parents of healthy kids, but climate change won’t be all that selective if it gets bad enough. While my daughter likely feels the affects of dirty air and a warmer Earth first, other children (and adults) like her sister may follow.

Health Risks of Climate Change

1. Warmer temperatures can generate extreme weather and increase natural disasters like Katrina that endanger the food and water supply and disease control.

2. Warmer temps also increase the mosquito population and therefore the malaria risk.

3. Abnormal heat waves and cold spells kill vulnerable people, usually through cardiopulmonary problems. (see: European heat wave, 2003)

4. Increased levels and changing patterns of airborne particles (both pollen and pollutants) can worsen allergies, asthma, and other respiratory disorders.

5. Rising sea levels displace communities and increase vector-borne diseases (ex: malaria) and waterborne diseases (ex: cholera).

6. Changing rainfall patterns can increase the chance of water contamination, threatening the safe water supply for communities.

7. Unreliable weather threatens crops in places already plagued by malnutrition.

8. Hotter temps increase ground-level ozone, which worsens asthma, COPD, and lung function.

It’s not all bad news, though. Just like with the increased asthma prevalence of the past several decades, the critical climate change issue means money is pouring in and some of the best thinkers and most innovative businesses today are focusing on solutions, even if my country’s president isn’t.

Asthma Mom has some very valuable information on her site, as well as insight on other health and environmental topics. Check out her blog by hitting the jump!

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