advertisement
Video Editor: Anoushka Rajesh
"The effect of extreme weather events are very clear. But, people do not really understand the impact on food systems and agriculture. Their impact on nutrition, and in turn, on health," Says Dr K Srinath Reddy, Cardiologist, and former President, Public Health Foundation of India.
In his new book, Pulse to Planet: The Long Lifeline of Human Health, Dr Reddy documents how various socio-economic and environmental factors outside and within our bodies come together to determine our health, and just how easy it is to disrupt this delicate balance.
Speaking to FIT, Dr Srinath Reddy elaborates on one of these factors, climate change, and all the less obvious ways in which it affects our health.
Food quality is compromised
Everything you need for good nutrition, for promoting immunity to protect ourselves against a variety of diseases are all going to be compromised by climate change, according to Dr Srinath Reddy.
"Even one degree rise in temperature will lead to nearly 10 percent decrease in the production of staples," he says.
Higher risk of non-communicable diseases
We're going to see a number of non-communicable diseases like heart issues and diabtes. "We also know that cancer cases are going to be on the rise," he adds.
Impact on pregnancy and childbirth
"Not only does it impact pregnancy and fertility, but now we know it affects the foetus too, and increases the risk of still births.
Air pollution
"When there is an increase in CO2 going up into the atmosphere, the carbon dioxide dome descends lower," explains Dr Reddy.
"This is why all of us must act together, says Dr Reddy.
"We can mitigate the effects of climate change in the moment, but also adapt much better to the changes," he adds.
Dr Reddy goes on to say that we must tackle specific issues, but at the same time, we must try and tackle the larger picture too by understand these various connection.
"
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)
Published: undefined