What is climate change?

Climate change is the change in local and global climate, which can be directly or indirectly attributed to human activity. Human activity result in changes in the composition of the global atmosphere causing unusual climatic events. Destruction of forests, contamination of water and the destruction of coastlines impact the environment and influence human health and the socio-economic well-being of populations.

How does climate change affect health?

The obvious effects of climate change are hotter weather giving rise to heat waves, droughts, and a greater number of storms and hurricanes. The warmer weather favours mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria. Diseases which are transmitted to humans by water (typhoid) or food (food poisoning) will become even more significant when water shortages occur. Poor air quality will result in more respiratory illnesses such as sinusitis and asthma.

What can men do?

Climate change evokes images of a horror movie or a form of 'end of the world' symbolism. We, in small island states, like Jamaica, are the most vulnerable to global warming, but the least able to effect global change. What can we do? As individuals, our efforts may not be measurable, but together our actions will make an impact on this growing problem.

Information is power

Firstly, we must arm ourselves with the relevant information about the causes and effects of climate change. We can then act based on the hard evidence available. In our communities, men are often the decision-makers on matter such as the use of scarce resources and they often hold critical positions in determining which priorities are selected. It is therefore the responsibility of men to inform themselves on the best available evidence and then make climate-sensitive choices.

Climate-sensitive choices

Walking, cycling or using mass transportation is a climate-sensitive choice to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while reducing obesity. Reducing the consumption of meats overall will result in reduced transportation of this commodity as well as decrease the energy consumed in the meat industry. This will mitigate the negative effects on the climate.

Men have a role to play in improving our communities through better garbage collection and disposal. The use of composts for citizens with a backyard is another method of reducing the burden of garbage disposal. Composting will reduce the number of backyard fires and the resulting air pollution experienced in our neighbourhoods.

Men are often the leaders in our society and can be the change agents for a better climate in the future.

Dr Pauline Williams-Green is a family physician and president of the Caribbean College of Family Physicians; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.