Climate change impacts not only the environment, but also public health. With rising global temperatures, including in Surabaya, residents are feeling the direct impact on their daily lives and health. Data from the latest Nature Medicine report shows that climate change threatens global health significantly, including in big cities like Surabaya, where extreme temperatures are increasingly common.
Surabaya, as a city with a dense population and high urban activity, is not exempt from this threat. The report highlights that 2023 was the hottest year on record, and extreme temperatures continued into 2024. The impact of this extreme heat is especially felt by vulnerable groups, such as low-income communities living in densely populated areas with little access to green spaces or adequate health facilities.
In an interview with a student in Surabaya, they admitted that the hotter weather is starting to affect their daily productivity. “Yes, especially when it's 12 noon and above. This really affects productivity during the day,” she said. This condition also has an impact on the health of many people around them. “Most of them experience problems with decreased immunity and become susceptible to diseases, especially coughs, colds, and sore throats,” she added.
The increase in temperature and extreme weather in Surabaya has the potential to worsen public health conditions. This is in line with a report from Nature Medicine which states that 2.4 billion people in the most vulnerable regions around the world are at high risk of being affected by deadly extreme heat. Although Surabaya is not included in these areas, it cannot be denied that the health risks in this city are increasingly real, especially for those who have to do outdoor activities.
The student also shared her views on steps that can be taken to reduce the health impacts of climate change. “Maybe the things that can be done for now are to reduce activity during hot days, drink more water and consume vitamins, and reduce the number of motor vehicles to reduce pollution,” she said. These simple solutions are in line with preventive measures recommended by health experts, who emphasize the importance of hydration and physical activity management during hot weather.
In addition, long-term solutions are also needed to reduce the impact of climate change on public health. A report from Nature Medicine states that only 23% of countries that signed the Paris Agreement evaluated the impact of their climate policies on public health. Therefore, it is important for local governments, including in Surabaya, to start prioritizing climate change mitigation policies that focus on health.
Unfortunately, based on the interviewees' recognition, awareness of programs related to climate change is still very minimal. “No, because I study with an online system where there are very few campus activities. Besides that, I am also busy with work,” she said when asked about campus activities aimed at addressing climate change.
However, She emphasized that the people of Surabaya need to be better informed on how to reduce the risk of climate change impacts on health. Awareness and action are urgently needed to deal with the increasingly threatening climate change. If not addressed immediately, health problems such as those mentioned in the report will continue to increase, and the city's people will become more vulnerable to diseases triggered by extreme weather.
In the face of these challenges, not only short-term solutions are needed, but also comprehensive policies involving governments, communities and individuals. By working together, the impact of climate change on public health can be minimized.
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