Climate change is the subject of national ,political, scientific, and social discussion. Climate disaster permeates political activism and has become the center of global summits. Many who were never involved in politics are concerned about climate change or the potential climate disaster.
So what is the Climate Change
Climate change is change in global or regional climate patterns, in particular a change apparent from the mid to late 20th century onwards and attributed largely to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels. The excess use of fossil fuels by humans has increased the earth's temperature rapidly. The increase in the greenhouse effect or use of carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, nitrous oxide etc. are literally warning our planet unnaturally until the point that it may be uninhabitable or uninhabitable in many areas.
What are the Current Predictions:
The planet's average surface temperature has risen about 1.62 degrees Fahrenheit (0.9 degrees Celsius) since the late 19th century, a change driven largely by increased carbon dioxide and other human-made emissions into the atmosphere. Most of the warming occurred in the past 35 years, with the five warmest years on record taking place since 2010. Not only was 2016 the warmest year on record, but eight of the 12 months that make up the year — from January through September, with the exception of June — were the warmest on record for those respective months (NASA)
Without adapting to the changing climate, some Midwestern and southern counties could see a decline in yields of more than 10% over the next five to 25 years, with a 1-in-20 chance of losses of crops by more than 20%.
By 2050, up to $106 billion worth of coastal property will likely be below sea level (if we continue on the current path).
Over the next five to 25 years, greenhouse gas-driven temperature rises will likely necessitate the construction of new power generation that would cost ratepayers up to $12 billion per year.
There has been a steady increase in global temperature that has led to rising sea levels, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, wildfires en masse, increase in endangered species, etc. etc.
How do these things affect mental health?
The physical environment affects our mental, physical, and emotional well being. In the broadest terms global warming creates Heat, Irregular Seasons, Disease, Crop changes, Animal changes, and Natural Disasters--- all of which affect mental health of humans.
Within these broader terms, many social and emotional microcasms can cause mental health problems.
Heat- mental & physical affect
Climate change may bring unprecedented heat waves. Some of which have already occurred.
We warm and regulate our body temperature by many pleasurable experiences. A blanket for coziness and/or sunny beach or enjoying the sun on a park bench. Occasional unpleasant heat is often relieved by a cool breeze, fans or a dip in a pool. But what happens when heat is unpleasant and seems inescapable?
We usually experience object misery and agitation. Why do we experience unpleasant misery when affected by inescapable heat?
Hyperthermia refers to a group of heat-related conditions characterized by an abnormally high body temperature — in other words, the opposite of hyperthermia. The condition occurs when the body's heat-regulation system becomes overwhelmed by outside factors, causing a person's internal temperature to rise. Hyperthermia can lead to various physical conditions such as:
immune conditions, heart conditions
blood pressure, circulation conditions,
lung, kidney, liver conditions
dehydration, chronic dehydration,
metabolic conditions, diabetes
sweat gland and sweating conditions.
High levels of humidity — which often accompany a heat wave contribute to lower levels of concentration. Concentration affects our jobs, schoolwork, ability to perform daily operations such as driving. Problems with concentration agitate symptoms of many mental health disorders.. Heightened confusion causes an increase in anxiety. Many individuals experience severe symptoms of ADHD, Anxiety disorder and Concentration Deficit disorder due to high levels of humidity.
High humidity also increases sleepiness (probably related to poor sleep). Sleep. apnea can develop and other disruptions in sleep. Scientists discovered that sleep disruption — which affects levels of neurotransmitters and stress hormones, among other things — wreaks havoc in the brain, impairing thinking and emotional regulation. In this way, insomnia may amplify the effects of psychiatric disorders, and vice versa. Studies have suggested that those dealing with Depression, ADHD, Anxiety and Post Traumatic Syndrome are affected most by sleep deregulation.
Heat waves are related to violent behavior, aggression, drug and alcohol abuse. Heat increases mental confusion, discomfort, fatigue, and stress. Discomfort and stress caused by heat oftentimes results in unwise thoughts and behaviors. Stress can kill brain cells and even reduce the size of the brain. Chronic stress has a shrinking effect on the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for memory and learning. They are easier to get because of stress, anxiety and PTSD. Our Immune system is important and when activated, helps to keep us safe. But chronic stress and prolonged activation of the immune system could negatively affect how the brain functions.
Levels of cortisol can wear down the brain's ability to function properly.
Those suffering from Bipolar disorder may experience extreme mood shifts and states referred to as "cycling". Cycling may increase in individuals who suffer from Bipolar disorder during Heat waves.
Displacement/Immigration
Climate change can cause many areas to become uninhabitable. This may occur due to floods, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, barren lands, etc. Natural disasters may cause post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and stress as individuals are forced to migrate to foreign areas leaving the familiarity of cultural and social structures behind and often losing everything economically. Recent studies have shown that long-term stress can change the structure of the brain, especially in areas supporting learning and memory. It can affect both nerve cells (grey matter) and the connections between them (white matter). It is possible these changes, along with other factors, can increase the likelihood of developing mental illness.
The Social effects of immigration. Oftentimes lead to mental health issues. Social anxiety increases as unfamiliar cultures and languages mix. The possibility and reality of social violence increases leading to anxiety and social isolation. Individuals are at an increased risk of suffering from depression due to prejudice, increased isolation, stress of adjustment, economic changes, and may experience grief from loss.
Distress: Emotional reactions to direct or gradual impacts of climate change can include anxiety, depression, grief, helplessness, and resignation.
Relationship Strain: Climate change has the potential to impact how individuals interact with each other and within their communities, resulting in a disrupted sense of belonging, increased violence and crime, and increased aggression and domestic abuse.
Substance Abuse: Climate change can increase overall stress levels, which can lead to increases in high-risk coping behaviors, such.
Irregular Seasons/Crops/Animal Changes
Many people experience changes in mood based on seasons, time of day and day of the week even. Climate change is causing major irregularities in our season cyces. Some individuals develop a disorder coined SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder. Symptoms of summer SAD are:
Poor appetite
Weight loss
Insomnia
Agitation and anxiety
There is some evidence that SAD is related to the body's level of melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. Darkness stimulates the production of melatonin, preparing the body for sleep. As the winter days get shorter and darker, melatonin production in the body increases and people tend to feel sleepier and more lethargic.
Alternatively, people with SAD may have trouble regulating their levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that influences mood. Finally, research has suggested that people with SAD also may produce less Vitamin D in response to sunlight; vitamin D is believed to play a role in serotonin activity. Insufficiency of vitamin D is associated with clinically significant depression symptoms.
Food and Health:
A neglected aspect of the climate change debate, much less research has been conducted on the impacts of climate change on health and food supply such as drinking water, than on the geophysical changes related to global warming. Human impacts can be both negative and positive. Climatic changes in Siberia, for instance, are expected to improve food production and local economic activity, at least in the short to medium term. Whereas, Bangladesh has experienced an increase in climate-sensitive diseases such as malaria, dengue, childhood diarrhoea, and pneumonia, among vulnerable communities.
Climate related pollution can cause a number of diseases, including respiratory infections, heart disease, COPD, stroke and lung cancer. Other health effects caused by air pollution may include difficulty in breathing, wheezing, coughing, asthma and worsening of existing respiratory and cardiac conditions. These effects can result in increased medication use, increased doctor or emergency department visits, more hospital admissions and premature death.
Various climate changes affect our food. Increase in moisture due to ris7bf sea levels produces pests and diseases. Droughts starve livestock and decrease productivity. Heat stress can disrupt a plant pollination, flowering, root development and growth stages.
Warmer waters will cause fish to swim further from human reach depleting vitamin b sources. Vitamin B levels in crops may drop as well because nitrogen in plants is critical for producing these vitamins. In one study, rice grown with elevated CO2 concentrations contained 17 percent less vitamin B1 (thiamine), 17 percent less vitamin B2 (riboflavin), 13 percent less vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), and 30 percent less vitamin B9 (folate) than rice grown under current CO2 levels.
Because plants use carbon dioxide to make their food, more CO2 in the atmosphere can enhance crop yields in some areas if other conditions—nutrient amounts, soil moisture and water availability—are right. But the beneficial effects of rising carbon dioxide levels on plant growth can be offset by extreme weather, drought or heat stress.
While higher CO2 levels can stimulate plant growth and increase the amount of carbohydrates the plant produces, this comes at the expense of protein, vitamin and mineral content.
Vitamin B deficiencies cause problems with concentration depression and anxiety. Vitamin B or omega three's support healthy brain function, and low levels can lead to unstable moods, depression, anxiety, poor focus and attention.
Protein deficiencies can cause moodiness and sensory imbalance. Protein is made up of amino acids, which are the precursors to neurotransmitters like serotonin that your body needs to regulate mood. Tyrosine is a precursor to dopamine. Tyrosine is found in dairy products, meats, fish, eggs, nuts, beans, oats, and wheat. Tryptophan is used to make serotonin, melatonin and niacin, and it is found in foods such as nuts, seeds, tofu, cheese, red meat, chicken, turkey, fish, oats, beans, lentils, and eggs.
Ideas to combat these effects of Climate Change
Combating the Effects of Heat
Stay hydrated! Each day try and drink 8 glasses of water. Buy cases of water and boil water regularly to remove toxins and chemicals. BOILING WATER for 15 to 20 minutes kills 99.9% of all living things and vaporizes most chemicals. Minerals, metals, solids and the contamination from the cooking container become more concentrated.
Sleep
Sleep 6-8 hours a day. For those under the age of 13, 8-12 hours a day.
Air purification in your home:
Indoor Plants. Similarly to going outside to get natural air and relieve stress, using houseplants incorporates those properties inside your home. …
Beeswax Candles.
Essential Oils.
Activated Charcoal.
Clean Air Filters.
Ceiling Fans.
Window Treatments.
Salt Lamps.
Here are some simple actions you can take to reduce air pollution and to keep the air cleaner.
Walk, bike, carpool, or take public transit.
Reduce your heating needs by making your house more energy efficient.
Say no to backyard burning.
Use hand-powered garden tools.
Know before you go.
Check your tire pressure.
Immigration/Natural Disaster
Recovery takes time. It is important to allow yourself time to process your circumstances and regain a sense of normalcy. There are things you can do to heal and rebuild.
Recognize when it’s getting too much - watch out for signs of stress and get extra support when things become overwhelming. Allow yourself extra time to get things done.
Talk - release your emotions and tension by talking to someone you trust. This can help put things into perspective. It’s likely others in your community are experiencing similar feelings so this gives everyone an opportunity to release negative feelings and discuss practical ways to deal with the situation.
Develop an action plan - decide who’s going to do what and when. Summariz your financial situation and discuss your options with your bank to alleviate stress of any financial concerns. Having a plan will help you feel you are making progress.
Take care of yourself - eat well, exercise and sleep. Try to get back to your normal routine when you feel ready. Wherever possible, schedule extra time for things you enjoy or that you find relaxing.
Get help - lean on family and friends. Strong support networks can provide emotional or practical support. Explain your needs and tell them exactly how they can help. Make a list of places to go to for help e.g. financial assistance, emotional support, your GP a helpline Like Lifeline.
Consider professional help - If you don’t feel some return to normal after four weeks, seek professional help (earlier if needed).
HELPING CHILDREN COPE AFTER A NATURAL DISASTER
Give your children extra attention and reassurance. Let them know they are not responsible for what has happened.
Acknowledge your own feelings about the situation and let your children know its ok to share their own feelings.
Include your children in plans for the future.
Try to get back to a normal routine as quickly as possible. This provides a sense of security.
If you don’t see an improvement in 4 weeks, or you’re concerned seek professional help (earlier if needed).
SAD SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER TREATMENT
Treatment to alleviate the symptoms of SAD typically includes some combination of light therapy, vitamin D supplementation, antidepressant medication, and counseling.
Self-care is an important part of treatment.
Monitor mood and energy level
Take advantage of available sunlight
Plan pleasurable activities for the winter season
Plan physical activities
Approach the winter season with a positive attitude
When symptoms develop seek help soon
RELAXATION TECHNIQUES
Breath focus. In this simple, powerful technique, you take long, slow, deep breaths (also known as abdominal or belly breathing). ...
Body scan. This technique blends breath focus with progressive muscle relaxation.
Guided imagery
Mindfulness meditation
Yoga, tai chi, and qigong
Repetitive prayer
WHERE TO GO FOR HELP
Psychologist/Counsellor
Kids Helpline
The Salvation Army
St Vincent de Paul
For state specific assistance, see Department of Human Services
National Bushfire Recover Agency: https://pmc.gov.au/domestic-policy/national-bushfire-recovery-agency
Lifeline.org
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