Extreme Climate Change and Societal Health Impacts

Extreme Climate Change and Societal Health Impacts

Ash Cutright

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721

Email: ashebray@email.arizona.edu

Abstract

Severe climate and weather-related events have created both societal health and socioeconomic impacts. Due to the influences of climate change, we are seeing an increase in intensity, recurrence, and geographical distribution with these severe events. These events include hurricanes, severe weather, coastal flooding, extreme rainfall, heat waves, and drought. Linking extreme climatological events to societal health and economic hardships tends to be abstract and compounded. More research is needed surrounding the impacts of climate change on societal health as a whole, as well as global economies and their abilities adequately plan for and adapt to our changing climate. This abstract defines ways in which severe climate change events are evolving and the inevitable affects said events have, and will continue to have, on our societal health. It also focuses on the inconsistencies that must be addressed in order to promote the health and safety of our society in conjunction with extreme climate change.
It’s well-known and understood that extreme climate and weather-related events lead to population displacement and economic distress, which then often lead to societal health issues - especially among the lower-income population. There is no singular definition for an extreme climate or weather-related event, but for this abstract, they’re considered isolated events that rarely occur within specific areas or have momentous socioeconomic impacts. Both climate and weather contribute to severe events, with the intensification and frequency amping up over the last century.
According to the National Climate Assessment, “human-induced climate change is projected to continue...accelerating significantly if global emissions or heat-trapping gases continue to increase”. With that being said, past extreme events may not necessarily be a precursor of future severe events. It is crucial that we understand observed changes up to this point in time, as well as address future events in order to properly protect our overall socioeconomic and societal health.