# The Health Impacts of Drought Due to Climate Change
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Chapter 1: Understanding Drought
As climate change advances, we are witnessing a rise in extreme weather events. In my book, "A Guide to a Healthier Planet," I discuss various extreme weather occurrences, including heat waves, tornadoes, wildfires, floods, and droughts. The impact of these events varies by region; while some areas may frequently experience tornadoes, others may face prolonged drought conditions.
Drought is particularly unique compared to other extreme weather phenomena, often lasting for extended periods—sometimes over a decade. Natural factors such as ocean-atmosphere interactions, heat waves, and phenomena like El Niño contribute to these conditions. During El Niño, deep water in the Pacific Ocean remains submerged, preventing nutrient-rich waters from rising, which can lead to warmer, less nutrient-dense surface waters.
In addition to natural causes, human activities like wildfires and greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2), significantly contribute to drought. Global warming raises temperatures, leading to increased evaporation from the soil and diminishing water levels in streams and lakes.
Drought can be classified into several categories based on its intensity:
- Meteorological Drought: Characterized by a lack of precipitation, impacting how much water evaporates in a given area.
- Agricultural Drought: Refers to insufficient soil moisture, leading to poor crop yields.
- Hydrological Drought: Occurs when surface or groundwater levels drop significantly, often following meteorological and agricultural droughts.
- Socioeconomic Drought: Represents the failure to meet human water needs due to shortages.
Each type of drought has varying levels of severity and impact. For instance, meteorological droughts may not directly threaten drinking water supplies, while socioeconomic droughts can lead to serious health issues and even fatalities.
Section 1.1: Health Implications of Drought
Droughts can have significant ramifications for our health, which can be outlined in four key areas:
- Water-Related Effects
Drought can severely compromise water availability and quality. The stagnation of water during droughts allows pollutants and harmful microorganisms to proliferate. This situation increases the risk of waterborne diseases, particularly as warmer conditions foster the spread of pathogens.
Reduced water flow also impacts nutrient transport, potentially leading to nutrient-poor and unsafe drinking water. The need for water often escalates during droughts, compelling vulnerable populations to resort to unsafe sources.
- Food-Related Effects
Drought can lead to diminished food security and nutrition, with grave consequences such as starvation. Lower crop yields, limited livestock availability, and impacts on fisheries contribute to food scarcity, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where recovery options are limited.
The consequences of food scarcity are dire, with undernutrition posing risks of cognitive impairment in children and increased health complications for pregnant women. Mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression, may also arise from food insecurity.
- Virus-Related Effects
Drought can influence the spread of diseases. For instance, when water storage containers become breeding sites for mosquitoes, the prevalence of mosquito-borne viruses can rise. Conversely, drought can reduce natural mosquito breeding habitats. Other vectors, like ticks, are also affected, with potential changes in their populations during drought conditions.
- Air-Related Effects
Drought can degrade air quality, increasing air pollutants due to wildfires and dust storms. Inhaling these pollutants can lead to respiratory issues and cardiovascular problems, with risks amplified in urban areas with existing pollution sources.
In this video, you can observe a significant dust storm in Parkes, UK, resulting from low air pressure that lifted dust from dry land:
Chapter 2: Taking Action Against Drought
As climate change exacerbates drought conditions through reduced precipitation and rising temperatures, practical solutions exist to mitigate these effects.
- Consider installing a rain barrel to collect rainwater.
- Utilize natural methods to remove pollutants from water, such as employing plants and microorganisms.
- Reuse wastewater where possible.
- Reduce personal water consumption.
- Learn about resilient agricultural practices.
- Support political initiatives that prioritize climate action.
Which of these strategies can you incorporate into your daily routine? Feel free to share additional ideas to inspire collective action.
In addition to this article, I encourage you to explore my book, "A Guide to a Healthier Planet," for deeper insights.
The second video titled "How Climate Change Affects Community Health" delves into these issues further, highlighting the connections between climate and public health.
About the Author
Dr. Erlijn van Genuchten is a renowned expert in environmental sustainability. Her work focuses on empowering scientists to effectively communicate their findings and fostering actionable steps toward a sustainable future. Through her book, YouTube channel, and social media platforms, she continues to inspire global audiences to engage with climate issues.
References
Chivangulula, F. M., Amraoui, M., & Pereira, M. G. (2023). The Drought Regime in Southern Africa: A Systematic Review. Climate, 11(7), 147.
Salvador, C., et al. (2023). Public health implications of drought in a climate change context: A critical review. Annual Review of Public Health, 44, 213–232.