THE IMPACT OF GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE ON BIODIVERSITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH: A REVIEW

Authors

  • T.M. Momoh-Salami Department of Microbiology, University of Lagos, Lagos State,
  • A.W. Zakka Department of Microbiology, Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Kaduna State,
  • A.E. Omotayo Department of Microbiology, University of Lagos, Lagos State,
  • O.M. Buraimoh Department of Microbiology, University of Lagos, Lagos State,

Abstract

Previously, pressures on the climate system are influential on the earth's surface. These are not limited to only increased superficial temperatures but also more frequent floods and droughts, including variations in normal environments such as early flowering of plants and fluctuations in the spreading of many species. The health of humans and the biodiversity of other creatures are significantly impacted by these changes. The change in climate affects both biodiversity and human health directly and indirectly through physical effects of climatic extremes (directly) and impacts on the stages of air contamination, agricultural, marine, and freshwater classifications which make available food and water, and vectors and pathogens which result in transmittable disease species. The concentration of energy-trapping gases in the atmosphere, raised by anthropogenic climate change is progressively viewed as a drive for biodiversity loss besides being a threat to the sustainability of the ecosystem and human health. Drought, fire, floods, and outbreaks of certain pests and illnesses that impact both wildlife and humans have occurred recently and are projected to grow more common in the next decades. This mini-review summarizes the connections between biodiversity (ecosystem health), human/public health, and climate change, and provides insight into recent events that have shaped the world consequent on global change in climate. It similarly discusses ways to protect the most vulnerable, as climate change is now an important and emerging danger to both public health and the ecosystem.

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Published

2023-07-05

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Section

ARTICLES