| | | Health and the Ecosystem

From WikiVerde

More research is being given to the links between human health and the preservation of adequate and vibrant ecosystems. Agencies such as the World Health Organization have served as the spokesman for balancing ecosystem and health delivery systems in all areas of the world, but particularly in Third World countries where the population is poorest and with the least amount of available medical care. Humans have made significant changes in the ecosystems of the globe during the past three decades--perhaps more than at any other time in history. Not all of the changes have been positive ones in terms of the health of the population.

Fresh Water

The availability of fresh water has a huge impact on the health of the population. Yet, with the usage of water at its current rate, it may no longer be sustainable. This will impact the poorer and indigenous people of the world at a much higher level than the more technologically advanced nations, yet it is the technological upper crust that uses most of the available resources of fresh water. Water used for drinking is increasingly showing traces of substances and chemicals that are either known to be harmful to health, or are unknown in their results to the human and animal life forms on the planet. With increased control over the previously wild streams, and warming trends in the oceans and streams, the issue of fresh water can become a critical factor in the health of billions of the earth's population.

Clean Air

Although much has been done in the way of legislation in the United states (Clean Air Act) to clean up and control the emissions into the air that we breathe, the legislation may be too little and too late. In the poorer areas of the world, increased deforestation means the air is becoming less breathable, not only because of the cleansing action of the forests that take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen, but because slash and burn techniques to clear land result in more dangerous particulates in the air. Yet, the poor indigenous people of the Third World countries rely on such techniques in order to clear land for their meager crops.

Stable Climate

The importance of a stable climate is based on both direct and indirect factors. In order to plant crops and expect them to be harvested at their peak, the yearly or seasonal cycle of rain, sunshine, cold and heat must be fairly consistent. The grower must know when to plant the crop so that it will mature prior to the dormant period in later months. Indirect factors are those which occur when there are violent upheavals in the natural climate of an area. If a wet spring is followed by flooding. cleanup efforts could prevent the ability to replant crops. Obviously a tornado roaring through an area is not beneficial to a normal growing cycle. Tornadoes and flooding will have other detrimental effects on the health of the people living through the weather episode.

Adequate Nutrition

The ecosystem is critical for the health of the human population. This is especially true for indigenous people of the poor segments of the globe who rely on food products naturally occurring for nutritious or at least plentiful food to eat. If the population relies on rice and beans as the diet staple and one or both of these staples is removed through changes in the eco system, the health of the population suffers. If native peoples rely on fish from the sea and the catch is reduced due to pollution of the water, warming temperatures or interference with the natural spawning cycles of the fish, the health of the people will suffer significantly.

Food Chain

The impact of pollution or death of the lowest element of the food chain in the ocean can impact every creature further up the chain. Mercury levels in fish, for example continues to rise. Yet for those peoples who rely on fish from the ocean, there can be a significant negative impact on the health of the people.

Resource Distribution

The fact that most of the available resources of food, energy, water and medical assistance are concentrated in the hands and lands of a few countries makes it more difficult to provide adequate health opportunities to the majority of people on the earth. In many instances it is due to the fact that there is no infrastructure to support distribution of resources, even if they are considered plentiful or even just adequate. Therefore, health problems are exacerbated, mainly because there is no preventative measures in place.

Disease Control

A huge effect on the health of the population occurs when restructuring land and climate factors cause the proliferation of harmful species. For example, diseases carried by tick and fleas are increasing in some areas because the insects are being moved from their normal habitat due to terraplaning of the earth's surface, or at least by removal of native vegetation. Many diseases of humans originate in animals and if the natural habitat of the animal is destroyed or altered, there is a corresponding movement toward the human population.

Population Control

Population control can have an enormous impact on the health of the population. Prenatal care of mothers will result in healthier babies. Reducing the number of children borne to a particular mother will result in better health for her and for the children. If the eco system is disrupted so that food supply becomes an issue in the life of the mother, there is a corresponding effect upon the health of both mother and infant. Human health is strongly linked to healthy ecosystems that are living in harmony with the land.