International Changes in Environmental Conditions and Their Personal Health Consequences

Abstract

Earth in the balance must consider the international changes in the physical and social environmental conditions resulting from global climate change, economic development, conflict, and other factors. Regardless of what side of the political fence individuals may land relating to climate change, the mounting evidence of air pollution, hazardous chemicals, water scarcity, land conversion, and biodiversity loss are evident. So too is their link to increased metabolic risk factors that damage human organ systems eliciting negative health outcomes (e.g., asthma, neurobehavioral disorders, and zoonotic infectious diseases) leading to morbidity and mortality. Together, these environmental and consequent health conditions should prompt civic engagement to reduce shared risks and consequences. This chapter reports a broad scope of the health disorders from the leading global environmental causes of death, such as pollution, land degradation and land use, providing an overview of key environmental and social problems and social responsibilities facing less-developed, emerging, and industrialized nations. Then moves on to discuss social considerations in two areas: (1) public participation found in environmental impact assessments, and (2) how income inequality in the social environment and social foundation may impact government structure and capitalism. Finally, the chapter brings forth multi-government levels of environmental and public health resources in the United States to prompt civic engagement, address personal behavior patterns and environmental risks. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the role of individual participation towards resolving environmental conditions and their health consequences.