The human impact of a changing climate

It is important to begin by understanding the difference between climate and weather. 

According to NOAA, climate refers to the long-term average of weather patterns in a particular region, while weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions such as temperature, precipitation, and wind.

The climate is more stable and predictable, while the weather is constantly changing. Climate sets the general conditions that determine the range of weather events that can occur in a particular region. For example, a region with a tropical climate is more likely to experience hot and humid weather, while a region with a polar climate is more likely to experience cold and snowy weather. The climate also influences weather patterns by determining the amount of energy and moisture available in the atmosphere. Climate change can alter the balance of energy and moisture in the atmosphere, leading to changes in weather patterns over time.

Climate change is one of the most significant challenges facing our planet today. As temperatures rise and weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable, the impact of climate change is felt around the world. While many people view climate change as an environmental issue, it has significant implications for human rights as well, affecting access to food, water, health care, and even the right to life itself. It is essential to address this issue to promote justice, fairness, and human dignity, and to ensure global security.

One of the most significant ways in which climate change affects human rights is through its impact on food security. As temperatures rise and weather patterns become more erratic, crops are often destroyed or fail to yield as much as they would under normal conditions. This can lead to food shortages and malnutrition, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those living in poverty. In extreme cases, famine and starvation can result.

Additionally, climate change affects human rights through its impact on water resources. As temperatures rise, water sources including rivers, lakes, and aquifers may dry up, leaving communities without access to safe drinking water. Water shortages can have a significant impact on agriculture, making it difficult or impossible for farmers to grow crops and provide for their families. As water resources become increasingly scarce, large commercial and/or foreign interests disproportionately restrict water access to smaller-scale agriculture and communities. This dramatically impacts the health and security of those communities.

Climate change also has significant implications for the right to health. As temperatures rise, the incidence of heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and dehydration increase. Changes in weather patterns can lead to the spread of diseases including malaria and dengue fever, as mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects thrive in warmer temperatures. Air pollution, which is exacerbated by climate change, can also lead to respiratory problems and other health issues.

Climate change has implications for the right to life itself. In extreme cases, natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts lead to loss of life and displacement of populations. As we have already begun to experience, climate migration is becoming more commonplace. Wealthy countries are duty-bound to lead the way through thoughtful legislation and global partnerships to subvert a global humanitarian crisis and avoid increased conflicts over resources such as water and land, which result in exploitation, violence and loss of life.

The issue of climate change and its impact on human rights is a matter of justice and fairness. Those who are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change are often the least responsible for causing it. Yet they bear the brunt of its impact. Food, water, and health care are basic human needs that all people have the right to. As the effects of climate change become more pronounced, they will have a significant impact on global stability and security. Greater action is needed to address these challenges facing our world today.