A Climate in Crisis: How Fossil Fuels Impact Human and Planetary Health

A fraction of a degree in rising global temperatures may seem insignificant, yet it is enough to permanently effect ecosystems, human health, and societies. Communities around the world are already experiencing the devastating effects of climate extremes associated with global warming, from prolonged droughts and catastrophic rainfall and subsequent flooding, to intensifying wildfires and growing public health crises linked to heat extremes. Plastic pollution too is another threat for human and environmental health, which is induced by the same cause: the use of fossil fuels.

Three leading researchers ¨C a climate scientist, a medical doctor specializing in pulmonary health, and a global public policy scholar offer their insights. They emphasize that even mitigating solutions at the grassroots level can influence global climate governance and policy. 

Global Warming Leads to Dry and Wet Extremes

¡°Extreme drought and heavy rainfall are clear symptoms of a climate in crisis,¡± cautions Sonia Seneviratne, Professor of Atmospheric and Climate Science at ETH Zurich and an elected Vice-Chair on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Professor Seneviratne describes the volatility of the hydroclimate cycle: Rising temperatures accelerate evaporation over a large fraction of continents, drying out soils and vegetation, increasing drought conditions, and reducing the ability of plants to absorb carbon. Simultaneously, a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture¡ªabout seven percent more per degree Celsius increase¡ªleading to more intense rainfall when the atmosphere reaches saturation. As a result, regions often endure prolonged dry spells followed by devastating downpours and floods.

The impacts are severe: droughts cause water shortages, cripple agriculture, and heighten wildfire risks. Conversely, extreme rain events can lead to deadly flash floods. Last autumn in Valencia, Spain over 230 people lost their lives. The economic and social toll from the flooding extended well beyond local communities, disrupting supply chains across multiple countries.

¡°I see it as our collective responsibility to take effective measures to mitigate the worsening climate crisis,¡± says Seneviratne. ¡°An early ban on gasoline cars or oil heating, and the replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energies (solar, wind, and hydropower) are measures that could go a long way to slow global warming.¡± 

Wildfire Smoke Affects the Entire Body

Beyond the immediate devastation, climate-related disasters pose a grave threat to human health. Wildfires in California and Canada, for example, have caused smoke and fine particulate matter to travel thousands of miles, polluting air far from the fires¡¯ origins.

¡°Wildfires and fossil fuel combustion release microscopic pollutants that don¡¯t just harm the lungs¡ªthey trigger immune responses affecting the entire body,¡± explains Mary Berlik Rice, MD and Director of the Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no safe level of exposure to fine particulate matter. Decades of inhaling pollutants contribute to respiratory diseases, high blood pressure, strokes, diabetes, neurological disorders, and even mental health conditions. Dr. Rice likens fossil fuel dependency to tobacco addiction¡ªboth are linked to severe health consequences.

Her recommendations? A rapid transition away from fossil fuels and investment in communities most affected by climate change and pollution. ¡°There is a critical need for policies to reduce wildfire risk, to prepare for future wildfires and to develop public health guidance to minimize health risks,¡± says Rice.

Plastic Pollution Inspires Global Treaty  

The pervasive use of plastics in our everyday lives undermines global efforts to limit the use of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels (i.e., petrol, gas and coal) are the main source of CO2 emissions leading to human-induced climate change, through their burning for energy production. They are also the main source of material for plastic production, which slightly contributes to human-induced climate change, but leads to pollutants persisting in the environment for up to 1,000 years. Alarmingly, microplastic fragments are now found in our bloodstreams and our brains.

¡°Plastic was originally invented as a sustainable alternative to ivory and tortoise shells, yet today it is one of the greatest environmental threats,¡± says Maria Ivanova, Director of the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs at Northeastern University.

Ivanova suggests a shift in focus from our carbon footprint to the potential positive influence of our handprints ¨C meaning a hands-on approach to addressing environmental challenges, including both fossil fuel burning and plastic pollution. She references Rwanda ¨C a country comparable in area to the U.S. state of Massachusetts ¨C and how, despite its size, it successfully banned single use plastics, transforming its economy, and spearheading the ongoing United Nations negotiations on a global plastics treaty. Rwanda has proven that even small states and communities can drive international environmental action. 

Climate Science Supports Policymakers 

As climate extremes become more frequent and severe, scientific research is crucial for informing policy and mitigation strategies. By refining climate models, advancing public health monitoring, and promoting sustainability initiatives, researchers are equipping policymakers and the public with the tools they need to tackle the world¡¯s most urgent climate challenges.