Did you know? What makes you Resilient to Heat and Climate Change?

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CTH: As a medical doctor, prevention in the context of heat, climate change, and health means proactively implementing measures to protect individuals and communities from the adverse effects of a changing climate. This involves raising awareness about the health risks associated with heat and climate change and educating people on how to mitigate these risks. It also includes designing and modifying urban spaces to reduce heat exposure, such as increasing green spaces, improving building insulation, and creating cooling centers. Advocating for and implementing policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote sustainable practices, and ensure that vulnerable populations have access to necessary resources is crucial.

Additionally, equipping healthcare systems to handle climate-related health issues, such as heat strokes and respiratory problems, through training, resources, and emergency response plans is essential. Supporting research to better understand the health impacts of climate change and developing innovative solutions to prevent and mitigate these effects is also a key component.

Overall, prevention means taking comprehensive, forward-thinking actions to safeguard health in the face of increasing environmental challenges.

CTH: Since the mid-1950s, there has been an exponential increase in allergies, a veritable tsunami, which is only now slowly leveling off. Scientists predict that by the middle of the century, half of the world's population will suffer from allergies. Climate change also has a significant impact. It is responsible for more people developing allergies and for making those in Europe, including Germany, suffer more. The pollen season is becoming longer, there is more pollen in the air, and pollen is becoming more allergenic due to stress-related reactions of plants to changing growing conditions.