Climate change and human health linkages in the context of globalization: An overview from global to southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh. (June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ashrafuzzaman, Md; Furini, Gustavo Luis
• Is Part Of: Environment international. Volume 127(2019)
• Page Start: 402
• Page End: 411
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Subjects: Climate change -- CO2 emissions -- Human health -- Globalization -- Mitigation & adaptation -- Bangladesh; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Protection -- Périodiques; Hygiène du milieu -- Périodiques; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Périodiques; Environmental health; Environmental monitoring; Environmental protection; Periodicals; 333.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.03.020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-4120

Abstract

Abstract: This article attempts to analyze the main impacts of climate change on public health starting with global and going through local by analyzing coastal communities in the area of influence of Sundarbans, located in southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh. In dealing with paramount health problems caused by climate change, we discuss what are the major challenges faced by different actors. From the opinion of globalization and world system theory it will be argued that developing countries are facing major defiance in terms of mitigation and adaptation, including human health problems. Those living in developing world, as the case of Bangladesh, responsible for the lowest contributions to climate change, are already suffering the most. This paper is based on bibliographical and statistical review, and uses primary data collected from field and secondary from publications, books, scientific journals, international reports. In this paper we also focused that poor countries shall not be liable for the damages caused by carbon emissions already trapped into atmosphere, a historic problem caused by developed world, so we expect that multi-governance platforms should make mutual efforts to promote health in partnership with local institutions in order to solve the climatic crisis. Highlights: Unfortunately, developing countries which have contributed fewer amounts of GHG from beginning to right now, are the most affected and vulnerable countries due to climate change in conjunction with already suffering the consequences on human health. A range of health risks such as vector-borne diseases problems capable of infecting human beings are linked with changeable weather patterns, as verified in the study region through primary data collection. Within the range of vector-borne diseases, dengue is more linked with global climatic pattern variation. Scientific observation brings strong evidence with 98% of the inhabitants interviewed living in Southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh since childhood confirming that the sea level is rising, with more frequent tidal inundation.