Increasing Air Temperature: A Threat to Public Health

Increasing Air Temperature: A Threat to Public Health

By : Arin Nindyta

Communities around the world are feeling the effects of high temperatures as a result of climate change. Increasing public health risks are associated with rising air temperatures in places such as Surabaya, in addition to environmental issues. The population's health is significantly at risk due to the average temperature's steady rise, especially during peak hours. Vulnerable populations are particularly at risk.

It has been known that the health impacts of heatwaves have gradually decreased over time due to socio-economic development, climate adaptation, and acclimatization. Contrary to general perception, we found that the recent relative risk of mortality caused by heat days has increased among vulnerable groups. It may associate with recent increasing trends of severe heat days due to climate change. The increasing relative risk was more significant in single-person households and less-educated groups than in the elderly. It implies that the impacts of climate change-induced severe heat days have been and will be concentrated on vulnerable groups. Children and older people, as well as people with underlying medical disorders including diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory issues, are more likely to suffer from heat-related illnesses. However, if people do not take protection during hot weather, they can become ill from heat-related diseases.

In addition to physical health, extreme heat negatively impacts mental health and daily productivity. Research has indicated a connection between high temperatures and heightened levels of depression, anxiety, and anger. High temperatures discomfort can also interfere with sleep cycles, which can result in exhaustion and a decline in cognitive abilities. Workers are mostly impacted, especially those who work outside, such farmers, people who lived in downtown, construction workers, and street sellers. Severe heat impairs their capacity to perform safely and effectively, which lowers output and raises the possibility of mishaps. Long-term economic effects may result from this, particularly in industries that depend significantly on physical labor.

To better understand the real-life impact, we spoke to Rizka Amalia, a student at Airlangga University who lives in downtown Surabaya.“It's been very hot in Surabaya lately,” Rizka explains. “Maybe it's because of the change of seasons, the weather has gone through quite extreme changes. Sometimes it can even touch 37 degrees celsius in the hot afternoon.” Rizka highlights how changing weather patterns have made life more difficult. “Sometimes it rains in the early hours of the morning, but still before the rain comes the air temperature is very hot and sultry. things like this several times interfere with the activities I do, especially activities carried out outdoors, of course it really interferes with my body and mental performance.”

Although increasing temperatures are a problem, communities such as Surabaya can implement strategies to lessen the negative impact of intense heat on public health. Growing more green space and tree cover should be a top priority for city governments and urban planners. In addition to offering shade, parks, gardens, and urban woods also aid in absorbing surplus heat, lowering the city's average temperature. On a larger scale, it is important to address climate change, which is the primary cause of the temperature rise. This involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the use of renewable energy sources, encouraging environmentally friendly modes of transportation, and getting laws that support energy efficiency into place. If cities like Surabaya want to safeguard the health and welfare of future generations, they need to take action to minimize their carbon footprint.

Reference Park, J., Chae, Y. Analysis of time-dependent effects of ambient temperatures on health by vulnerable groups in Korea in 1999–2018. Sci Rep 13, 922 (2023).

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-28018-z