Cianconi, P., Betro, S., & Janiri, L. (2020). The Impact of Climate Change on Mental Health: A Systematic Descriptive Review. Frontiers in Psychiatry.

Climate Curious Podcast. (2023). TEDxLondon.

Environment and Climate Change Canada. (2022). What is Climate Change? Retrieved 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlQ-MEZgRGY

EPA. (2020). Retrieved 2023, from epa.ie: https://www.epa.ie/our-services/monitoring--assessment/climate-change/ghg/

Fakana, S. T. (2020). Causes of Climate Change: Review Article.

United Nations. (2022). Retrieved 2023, from un.org: https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/causes-effects-climate-change

United Nations. (2022). Retrieved 2023, from un.org: https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/causes-effects-climate-change

 

 

 

The last decade, 2011-2020, was the warmest on record! Higher temperatures increase heat-related illnesses and make working outdoors more intense. Due to increasing temperatures, wildfires can start more easily and spread more rapidly when conditions are hotter.

Destructive storms have become more intense and more common in many areas. As temperatures rise, more moisture evaporates, which exacerbates extreme rainfall and flooding, causing more destructive storms. Severe storms can destroy homes and communities which may lead to deaths. 

Global warming exacerbates water shortages in current water-stressed regions and is leading to an increased risk of agricultural droughts affecting crops, and ecological droughts increasing the vulnerability of ecosystems.  Many people now face the threat of not having enough water. 

The ocean soaks up the majority of the heat from global warming. The ocean warming rate has strongly increased over the last 20 years. As the ocean warms, its volume increases since water expands as it gets warmer. Melting ice sheets also cause sea levels to rise, which threatens coastal and island communities. 

Climate change poses risks to the survival of species on land and in the ocean. One million species are at risk of becoming extinct within the next few decades. Forest fires, extreme weather, and invasive pests and diseases are just some of the many threats linked to climate change. Some species will be able to relocate and survive, while others will not. Deforestation exacerbates the loss of species. 

Climate change is the biggest health threat facing us. Climate impacts are having negative effects on our health, through air and noise pollution, disease, extreme weather conditions and events, forced displacement, pressures on mental health, and increased hunger and poor nutrition in places where people cannot grow/find food. Our mental health can be greatly affected because of climate change. Climate change can cause us to feel stressed and anxious, and cause problems with our sleep (Cianconi et al., 2020). 

2. Always use a reusable coffee cup/ water bottle, this creates less waste!

3. Start composting, it's simple and has lots of benefits such as reducing waste and can improve soil quality. Check out this link to see how to start composting at home https://learn.eartheasy.com/guides/composting/.

4. Try to buy local, organic and Irish food! This helps to cut back on pollution such as noise, air and congestion due to shipping and flying in foods.

5. Cut back on your meat consumption. Yes, this may be hard but meat consumption is responsible for releasing greenhouse gases such as methane, CO2, and nitrous oxide.

6. Sign climate action petitions. If you see a petition related to climate action read it, share it, and sign it! It's something so simple that could have huge impacts.

7. Educate yourself and others. This is a simple way to help tackle climate change. Read up, listen and watch what is going on and how you can help. Tell others, and share posts and petitions on Instagram and Facebook!