Are there Disastrous Consequences of Global Warming ?

Scientists pretty much all agree on global warming today, but what are the health aspects?

Clearly one is heat stroke. Did you know that close to 700 people a year die from heatstroke in the US alone?

Also, some insects thrive with increased temperatures, so the incidence of insect borne diseases like Lyme disease (tick borne) and viral encephalitis (mosquito borne) may increase. I know local people who had both recently, whereas they were virtually unknown just a few years ago. Other insect borne diseases that may rise include West Nile virus, dengue fever, and Ehrlichiosis. Also tropical diseases may spread to the temperate zone, such as malaria and yellow fever. It is not as far fetched as it may seem.

The ongoing depletion of the ozone layer causes increased exposure to UVB radiation which can contribute to skin cancer, cataracts and more. Skin cancer is a major killer and its incidence has been going up. There has also been a 400% increase in asthma since 1980, in part due to emissions from burning rainforests and more.

The rising sea levels can have major impacts on health as well, ranging from millions of people being displaced and the resultant problems, to disruptions in food production, fresh water availability, and sanitation. These factors can have global effects even far from the oceans borders.

Global warming is starting to have major effects, and how serious they will be is unknown. They range from science fiction doomsday scenarios, to less catastrophic yet still very serious. One thing is certain, there are health consequences to global warming.