Inventory not very green.
Rising oceans, scarcity of fresh water, extinction of many animal and plant species… The consequences of climate change on the environment are sadly known.
Its impact on human health is less serious, yet it is no less serious.
Jean-François Guégan, research director at the Research Institute for Development (IRD) and the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (Inrae), explains the outlines.
You work on the relationship between climate change and health. Why does this phenomenon particularly favor infectious and parasitic diseases, and their spread?
In East Africa, for example, cases of malaria have been observed at high altitudes, whereas previously there were none. The warming of the climate has therefore allowed the installation of mosquitoes in certain areas which were previously devoid of them. If global warming is partly responsible for the proliferation of diseases, human activity, in particular transport, is also involved. There is an increase in animal and plant diseases, some of which can be transmitted to humans. This results in particular from an increase in transport and its frequency. Planes, boats or cars are dumping invasive species at a much faster rate than before.
Many insects have a dispersal radius of only a few hundred meters or a few kilometers, but our modern means of transport, while contributing to global warming, today take them out of their zone [like the famous tiger mosquito, for example].
The first victims of climate change are, as often, the poorest populations.
But the increase in temperatures is not without consequences for the health of the French.
What are they ?
The consequences of climate change on health are still poorly understood due to the multitude of factors involved, and a certain simplification of the discourse.
What is evident is that the phenomenon facilitates chronic diseases like asthma or respiratory complications.
On European coasts, the increase in the water surface temperature by 0.8 degrees also leads to an increase in bacteria of the genus Vibrio which can cause very severe diarrhea after eating shellfish, for example.
Infectious agents are very sensitive to weather conditions.
According to an OpinionWay study carried out for
20 Minutes
with AXA Prévention, a third of French people feel poorly informed about climate change.
Do you share this observation?
Already, there is a great confusion between meteorology, climate, climate variability and climate change.
The big problem today is the proliferation of microbes and invasive species as a result of human activity.
The increase in the population, for which new lands must be found, also exposes individuals to many microbial germs which are present in tropical forests, and which are being cut.
We wake up things we do not know, including millions of potentially dangerous microbes for humans.
Is man capable of adapting to climate change?
The human being is very plastic and able to adapt.
Only, we realize, even in France during heatwave episodes, that he can die during hot weather.
In the elderly and frail, three to four nights without sleep because of a heat of around 30 degrees can lead to death if there has not been recovery in the night phase.
54% of respondents mention their responsibility towards future generations as a motivation to act for the planet.
What do you want to say to young people?
I understand that we are worried about the consequences of climate change.
But in my youth, we had Soviet missiles aimed at our heads, which could create a climate of panic, and people did not stop living.
It has even been very productive years, especially artistically.
What I mean is that you have to be optimistic while educating citizens and decision-makers.
Mobilization is important, especially locally because that is what can move policies.
And then, we must also have confidence in science!
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