“beyond human tolerance”
Experts say climate change in India is increasing the spread of chronic diseases including malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, cholera and chikungunya, especially among millions of people who already face problems of sanitation, pollution, malnutrition and lack of potable water.
“Temperatures in urban centers are rising beyond human tolerance, humidity is increasing, as is night heat,” Sunita Narain, head of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a research and advocacy organization, told DW in New Delhi.
Recent studies have shown that raising the temperature even a few degrees above our body’s heat level has a number of harmful effects on human physical and mental abilities. For example, women who work in heat-sensitive jobs such as farming or construction are at risk for pregnancy-related complications.
Narayan warns that cholera, a disease thought to be nearly eradicated, is now “back with a vengeance.” At the same time, she says, the problem extends far beyond rising temperatures.
He highlighted, “It is not climate change that is causing cholera. The fact is that it is poor management of the environment.”
