WHS PREMED
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
NEWSLETTER
How does global warming
contribute to the loss of
biodiversity and affect
human health?
By: Ashley Chau
The release of emissions into the earth’s atmosphere and
being trapped at the surface can cause global warming
which leads to climate change. Climate change could cause
species to not be able to survive in their new changing
environment, resulting in the loss of biodiversity. Therefore
causes effects on human health, since the human species
relies on chemical components and plants to understand
human physiology and to treat human diseases.
The loss of biodiversity is when ecosystems experience a
decrease in diversity in plant and animal life. It could be
caused by species being removed or the introduction of
foreign species that could harm the ecosystem and
potentially bring infectious diseases. Nevertheless, global
warming is also a contributing factor in the loss of
biodiversity. Global warming is caused by the carbon
dioxide and other pollutants getting caught in the earth's
atmosphere; while also having sunlight absorbed and solar
radiation on the earth's surface. Due to this and the effects
of climate change, it could force ecosystems to fluctuate,
harming species and forcing humans to adjust to a new
regional climate change.
Earth's climate has changed within the last 800,00 years since
humans have existed on the planet, but for the first time,
climate change is affecting the population and the biodiversity
existing on the planet. Healthy ecosystems require the
diversity of plant and animal life and we rely on insects to
pollinate our crops and the chemical compositions we use for
medications from plants. The effects and disruptions of
ecosystems can lead to social needs not being met. Such as
biomedical research which relies on plants, animals, and
microbes to understand human physiology and to treat
human diseases. Without this, infectious diseases can cause
disruptions that reduce the abundance of organisms and
affect deforestation, land-use change, water management,
irrigation and pesticides.
As a cause of this, the population living on the planet can help
better the environment by doing the small things, such as:
carpooling, going waste-free, planting trees or your own
vegetables/fruits, reducing the amount of time spent using
electricity, reusing plastic or boycotting companies that
threaten the environment. Simply staying informed on the
ethics of products you use is another way to help. Behavioral
shifts within the social groups can help shift businesses and
consumers to use and create sustainable products. Taking
small actions and creating habits will help contribute to the
improvement of our environment, halting the loss of
biodiversity and improving human healthy habits.