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global warming and lack of water
Global warming is the increase in the Earth’s temperature due to the buildup of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. These gases are a big result of human activities such as burning fossil fuels, cutting down forests, and industrial operations. Global warming is a major role in climate change, causing changes in weather patterns, extreme temperatures, and widespread environmental challenges. Water, like climate change, is a huge impact especially on environmental, economic, and human heath
Health changes and effects
Climate change affects human health by altering and exposing individual to heat waves, floods, droughts and catastrophic event. These types of environmental events can bring about waterborne infectious diseases. As well as changes in quality and safety of air, food, and water. The psychological effects on an individual going through these stressors is a decrease in their mental health and well-being
Water related illnesses
Due to the environmental events water becomes contaminated with sewage overflow and lack of portable drinking water. Which increases pathogens that lead to gastrointestinal illness. one major symptoms would be diarrhea which can create other bacterial and parasitic infections.
Food safety and nutrition
Climate change includes rise in temperatures and changes in extreme weather. That then causes a ripple effect to food security by being exposed to different pathogens. This can have a enormous impact globally which can decrease food availability and increasing food prices.
Mental health
This mental health impact can intertwine with other health related issues. Which in turn can diminish an individuals well being. There are some groups that are more vulnerable than others. For example, the elderly, pregnant women, people with preexisting mental illness, the economically disadvantage and first responders (EMT, Police officers, fire department)
Access to water
Fresh water is a huge component for daily life for example, agriculture which is nearly about 70% in volume. This impact is unfavorable to crop production and awful for consumers. Lack of water access causes a cascading effect which a major one is water supply difficulties and illnesses from unsafe water consumption. That in turn will eventually create water wars which can increase water cost when imported. Increase in the cost of food due to lack of crop production makes it that much harder for people to be able to obtain fruits and vegetables, especially if organic. some experts say water scarcity can be avoided. TO meet this goal, we would have to invest in new technology and infrastructures which will create jobs. An example of improving technology is to process renewable energy. Being able to lower emissions will eventually benefit human health. Fun fact: There are about 130 small water systems in santa cruz county serving roughly 2,500 households. There are also at least 8,000 private wells in Santa Cruz County that serve between 1 and 4 households.
Ripple Effects: Understanding the Social Impact of Water Scarcity 