Environmental Health Is Social Destiny

Environmental Health is Social Destiny

Human action on Environmental Health

Human actions affect the environment and the health of people and other organisms. Environmental justice is the concept that all people have the right to live in a healthy environment free from discrimination and environmental injustice.

Human health requirements

Environmental health needs include fresh air, clean water, shelter, and a stable climate. Environmental public health forces us to understand how our health and the environment are connected. Maintaining our environment's health and safety protects our mental and physical well-being.

We can be harmed by environmental health issues. The following five health themes are vital to human life and healthy ecosystems.

Water sanitation

Clean drinking water is still unavailable to 784 million people. Humans need healthy water to survive, yet not having it can harm the environment. 

Radiation, chemicals

Toxic gases, chemicals, and radiation surround us. However, they can damage human and environmental health.

Farmworkers and their families are exposed to pesticide-induced ailments like asthma and cancer. Agricultural pesticides boost brain cancer risk by 20%, according to a 40-year epidemiologic study.

Polluted air:

Human health can be harmed by pollution. It can cause heart disease, breathing issues, and more. Cancer can result from pollution. Toxic gases in the environment affect plants, animals, and humans.

Air pollution comes from:

Natural disasters include power stations and factories, Burning fossil fuels, Factory waste, Wildfires, and volcanoes. Air pollution is caused by factories and automobiles. 85% of US energy comes from industrial fossil fuel combustion, which causes 50% of US pollution.

Buildings

The shelter is crucial to human health and safety. But too many buildings can hurt the ecosystem. Wasteful buildings are badly designed. It uses too much water and energy.

Changing climate

Climate change is the biggest threat to humanity in the 21st century. Natural calamities are also included. Climate change is becoming more dangerous. Climate change and more extreme weather have increased disasters by a factor of five over the past 50 years, according to the WMO.

Ecological Health

Human safety and mental well-being are inextricably linked to healthy settings. We must monitor and care for the earth for four reasons.

1. Lowers illness risk 

We've seen the devastation hazardous microorganisms and pathogens like the coronavirus epidemic can do over the previous two years.   Disease outbreaks can be prevented by environmental health awareness.

2. Extends and improves life

Life duration and quality improve when food safety and shelter are provided and maintained. According to one study, environmental quality affected life expectancy in 24 African countries. It was discovered that African life expectancy improved by 0.137 and 0.1417 years with increases in the environmental performance index (EPI) and ecosystem vitality (EV).

3. Increases biodiversity and habitat protection

In 2021, US officials announced the extinction of over 20 species. Ecosystems and animal worlds thrive on biodiversity. We can better safeguard animals and plants by boosting environmental health awareness.

4. Reduces climate change

We can't outrun global warming. However, we can take steps to slow it down and find answers.

Over the past 150 years, human activity has caused most of the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Twenty fossil fuel companies account for more than one-third of modern greenhouse gas emissions.

By reducing industrial emissions and waste, organizations can make a big difference in the health of the environment and help stop global warming.

Health risks

If we want to survive and grow as a species, we must take care of the environment as well as ourselves. Here are some ways environmental health dangers might harm people:

1. Lung illnesses:

Airborne pollution and chemicals can cause serious respiratory illnesses. Preventing these diseases requires good air quality. Globally, the consequences are uneven. In US cities, low-income and minority neighborhoods had 28% greater nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution than higher-income and majority-white districts.

2. Increased waterborne disease risk

Poor water and sanitation can spread cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid, and polio. Drinking water contamination kills 485,000 people annually.Low-income groups are more at risk for infectious diseases, especially waterborne ones.

Natural calamities.

Even the healthiest environment can have natural disasters. However, environmental health measures can mitigate these effects.

Nutritional deficiencies 

Nutritional deficiencies often result from a shortage of inexpensive, healthy grocery stores near houses. This is a food desert. Our bodies can't function properly without nutrient-dense meals. Humans have the right to live in a healthy environment.

• Reducing air pollution 
• Many industries are reducing air pollution, thankfully.
• Solar and wind energy are being adopted by more large companies.
• Air pollution is destroyed at the source by some firms.   
• Factory waste heat can be used to eliminate pollutants with regenerative thermal oxidizers (RTOs). Recycling is also expanding in the vehicle industry. 
• The world's automakers are investing in facilities to recover outdated parts and recycle millions of electric batteries for future cars. Jaguar Land Rover's aluminum recycling effort might lower output CO2 by 26%.improve environmental health. We can all help the environment by taking action. 

You can help in these ways.

1. Cut carbon emissions. Traveling without a car or plane can dramatically cut your carbon footprint. 

2. If possible, walk or bike to work. Reuse, recycle, and reduce Industrial facilities release dangerous CO2 into the atmosphere. Recycle and reuse to help the environment.

3. Grow veggies and fruits. Learn life skills by growing your own food. Self-care and therapy are also benefits. This wellness trend lets you promote your health and the environment.

4. Use products with care. Many of our products were created in factories that exploit individuals and the environment.

Conclusion

You can fight this by being more thoughtful about your products. For your health, help the environment. Keeping a good relationship with the environment is the key to a stable and prosperous future for all living things. Even if we think what we're doing isn't important, any small change in behavior toward environmental justice is good for everyone. We need corporate environmental health efforts in addition to personal ones.