By Pooja Toshniwal PahariaJun 22 2023Reviewed by Benedette Cuffari, M.Sc. Climate change has been identified as a serious hazard to human health by the World Health Organization . Climate justice is inextricably linked to social, mental, and physical health and accessibility to healthcare facilities and favorable climates.
Vulnerability to climatic injustice Climate change has significantly impacted health globally, with the industrial revolution's increase in fossil fuel consumption leading to the current climate crisis. Globally, the South is disproportionately affected, while low-income individuals of color and those with regional susceptibility are also severely affected by climate injustice.
Occupational exposures pose significant risks, especially for workers exposed to extreme weather, heat, and contaminated air, including athletes, outdoor workers, children and workers in outdoor-type camps, groundskeepers, utility workers, and farmworkers. Homelessness and unsafe housing also increase vulnerability to climatic change-associated health implications. Climate change disproportionately burdens individuals heavily burdened by social health determinants and high allostatic loads.
Psychiatric disorders associated with climate change include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorders, sleep disorders, phobias, substance abuse disorders, and attachment disorders. Extreme weather conditions and natural disasters such as storms, floods, and droughts may increase civil strife and conflict, thus negatively impacting the mental health of individuals.
Extreme weather events such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and flooding can destroy built environments, disrupt educational access and community context, and displace families.