How Can We Improve Human Quality of Life?

By Junsoo Lee, GRC 2024 Global Essay Competition Top 30

In recent years, the intertwined issues of climate change, pollution, and food security have emerged as critical global challenges with profound impacts on human health and well-being. The escalating effects of environmental degradation, from rising temperatures and extreme weather events to biodiversity loss and polluted ecosystems, are destabilizing food systems and exacerbating health disparities. However, a sustainable improvement in human quality of life and the affordability of healthcare is within reach. By addressing climate change and other environmental health factors, prioritizing education, and fostering preventive healthcare knowledge, societies can promote more resilient, sustainable practices that not only reduce environmental harm but also enhance global health outcomes. This essay argues that by mitigating climate change, tackling pollution, and investing in education, we can ensure a healthier future, mitigate the risks of diseases, and improve food security for vulnerable populations worldwide.

Climate Change and Food Security: A Global Health Challenge

Climate change has become a profound threat to food security, directly impacting global health and nutrition. Rising temperatures, unpredictable weather patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events are affecting food systems, reducing agricultural productivity, and threatening biodiversity. These challenges have negative effects on human health, such as malnutrition, weakened immunity, and increased exposure to diseases.

One significant impact of climate change on food security is the reduction of agricultural production due to extreme weather. For example, droughts and flooding disrupt crop production, leading to food shortages and higher prices. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) highlights that climate-induced disruptions are causing malnutrition in low-income regions, where access to nutritious food is already limited, also weakening biodiversity. Moreover, close exposure to diseases due to rising temperatures and altered patterns expand the habitats of diseases such as mosquitoes, increasing the spread of malaria and dengue fever. Additionally, flooding contaminates water sources, raising the risk of waterborne diseases like cholera. Addressing these health risks requires strengthening healthcare systems and implementing preventative measures, including vaccination campaigns and sanitation improvements. Promoting preventative healthcare strategy by investments in climate agriculture, such as drought-resistant crops and vertical farming, can enhance food security. Community education on sustainable farming practices and the integration of climate adaptation strategies into public health policies are also essential steps to fight these interconnected challenges. In conclusion, addressing climate change improves global health by securing food systems and mitigating its health impacts.

One significant impact of climate change on food security is the reduction of agricultural production, resulting in higher malnutrition across the globe. In the past, malnutrition was mainly linked with starvation or stunted growth, however, recent trends have pointed to another severe issue: obesity. Both phenomena are international health issues that severely impact the quality of life of millions which may even be further exacerbated by climate change’s negative effect on agricultural yields. Currently, 2.3 billion people are affected by malnutrition (FAO et al., 2021) where “210 million people [are] at the stressed stage of food insecurity” according to Integrated Food Security Phase Classification. With the current pace of climate change, the numbers may only go higher as “a recent systematic review of changes in the yields of the major crops grown across Africa and South Asia under climate change found that average crop yields may decline across both regions by 8% by the 2050s.” This is an issue since the most vulnerable populations are located in countries suffering from the most decrease in agricultural production where the majority of the people rely on crops for main source of food. Addressing the interconnected challenges of climate change, pollution, and food security requires innovative solutions. Investments in climate-smart agriculture, such as developing drought-resistant crops and employing vertical farming techniques, can enhance food production while conserving resources. For example, in Kenya, drought-resistant maize developed by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) has helped farmers withstand increasingly dry conditions, boosting food security and reducing malnutrition-related diseases like stunting. In Singapore, vertical farming techniques, such as those used at Sky Greens, allow for efficient food production in urban areas, providing fresh, locally-grown produce that improves nutrition and helps prevent diet-related diseases like obesity and hypertension. Additionally, in India, the promotion of water-efficient irrigation and organic farming through the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture has improved crop yields while reducing chemical pesticide use, lowering the risk of pesticide-related illnesses and promoting better health outcomes. For example, droughts and flooding disrupt crop production, leading to food shortages and higher prices. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) highlights that climate-induced disruptions are causing malnutrition in low-income regions, where access to nutritious food is already limited, while also weakening biodiversity in these populations. These challenges have severe negative effects on human health, particularly in elderly populations, who face heightened risks of malnutrition and heat-related illnesses. Biodiversity loss further compounds this issue. Deforestation, driven by agricultural expansion and urbanization, reduces the resilience of ecosystems to adapt to changing climates. This loss not only threatens food production but also limits access to medicinal plants and natural resources critical for healthcare. Restoring ecosystems through reforestation and sustainable agriculture is vital. For instance, tree planting enhances air quality, lessens soil erosion, and restores habitats for animals, which are essential for pollination and crop production, ultimately supporting both food security and preventative health.

Improving human quality of life requires urgent and coordinated efforts to address the challenges posed by climate change, pollution, and food insecurity. By investing in climate-smart agriculture, restoring ecosystems, and promoting education on sustainable practices, societies can build more resilient food systems and mitigate the health impacts of environmental degradation. Addressing malnutrition, reducing the spread of vector- and waterborne diseases, and improving preventative healthcare infrastructure are essential steps to safeguard vulnerable populations. Through these solutions, we can reduce global health disparities, protect biodiversity, and ensure a sustainable future that prioritizes the well-being of current and future generations.