The natural and built environment is a safe living place. We are a part of the environment, as people we have higher responsibility in protecting it. The surrounding also has a major impact on a person’s physical and mental health. Building a positive and healthy environment is needed for a stable and prosperous future. Every little step we take towards environmental justice benefits humanity as a whole.
This blog explores the definition of environmental health, major health problems caused, its importance, and measures to protect the environment.
What is environmental health?
Environmental health refers to the relationships between people and their environment. Environmental health is an area of public health that deals with how we human beings relate to the environment we are in.
Fresh air, clear water, stable shelter and weather, clothing, as well as other factors like social, economic, and cultural stability, are a few necessities for human health. Environmental public health provides awareness of the human root cause and its state of environmental health.
Major Health Problems Caused
Climate change
The effects of climate change are due to the pollution caused by humans over several years. The rules are no longer pre-defined by the weather patterns, but by us, as humans. The change in climate is due to greenhouse gases trapping heat from the sun, warming the surface. This is leading to global sea level rise is related to the shrinking availability of land, flooding our towns in mass, and absurd weather across the globe.
Pollution
Pollution is one of the major human causes creating environmental concerns associated with climate change and biodiversity loss. There are many different types of pollution harming the world: water, air, radioactive, light, noise, etc Air, soil, and water pollution, climate change, and global warming cause major impacts on public health and also on biodiversity.
Hazardous waste
Hazardous waste like harmful materials, waste disposal, contaminated site remediation, dealing with the leach and leakage, and altering response to the accidental release of hazardous materials. Negligence in this can lead to the growth of bacteria and the spread of deadly diseases.
Disease
Control and mitigation are a primary aspect of environmental health, radiological, industrial hygiene, etc is a necessary. The need for clean water and unpolluted air is a major priority to avoid diseases and build a healthy lifestyle.
Why is environmental health important?
Reduces the risk of diseases
In the past years, irreversible devastation to public health that harmful microbes can cause. Environmental health literacy can create awareness and promote healthy living to prevent harmful diseases.
Enhances life quality
When all the elements needed for human life: food, safety, adequate shelter, clothing are available and nurtured, length and quality of life improve. A connection between environmental health quality and life expectancy is high, and thus improves overall health
Increases biodiversity protection
Biodiversity is a must for a healthy environment and maintains balance in nature. Awareness of environmental health is helpful to preserve nature. Spending time in nature is effective mental health therapy, which has been shown to reduce stress and promote a healthy life.
Prevents global warming
Although we cannot take away the increasing global temperature rise, we can adopt measures to reduce it. Human activity remains a large contributor to greenhouse gases. Environmental health can be improved by reducing the factory and manufacturing unit wastes.
Build a Sustainable Future
Environmental health practice can contribute to managing our natural resources sustainably. Environmental protection of our environment and its delicate ecosystems is necessary to promote a healthy environment.
Measures to Protect Environmental Health
Lower carbon footprint
Reducing the amount of carbon in the environment is an effective preventive measure to control pollution. Individuals can use public transport, and factories can treat fumes and then release them. All these simple gestures can contribute to controlling carbon emissions.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
The 3 R can be implemented in all industries to see a positive change in environmental health. Following it in the manufacturing sector helps to reduce waste and thus helps to build eco-friendly products.
Reduce Chemical Use
Intentional use of less harmful chemicals in daily activities would keep pollution levels down, which in either case is a risk to both physical health and environmental health. The use of renewable energy reduces the use of fossil fuel and lowers the impact on nature.
Follow Environmental Regulations
Governments can take initiatives to implement environmental protection laws helping to limit pollution to human health and the environment from industrial wastes. Awareness of existing environmental issues and encourage the public to be a part of local conservation initiatives.
Eco-friendly products
The current market products have a major impact on environmental health. To avoid this, people need to carefully think about the products and services they choose to use. Also, support businesses concerned about environmental health.
Conclusion
A healthy relationship with the environment is key to pursuing a stable, secure, and independent future. Every small action toward an environmentally just behavior contributes to humanity’s welfare and sustained life. So, it is effective to promote a healthy lifestyle and save nature.
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