Abdullahi Muhammad Ibrahim

Climate and Mental Health: The Death Wish We Never Signed - By Muhammad Abdullahi Ibrahim.

The climate crisis is no longer a distant threat; it's a harsh reality. Rising temperatures, devastating natural disasters, and unpredictable weather patterns are becoming the new norm. However, the impact of climate change extends far beyond the physical realm. It's also taking a profound toll on our mental health.

The Unseen Consequences
Climate change is often discussed in terms of its environmental and economic consequences. However, the psychological impact of living in a world under siege is just as critical. Anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and even suicidal thoughts are becoming increasingly prevalent among individuals affected by climate-related events.

The Weight of Uncertainty
One of the most significant challenges posed by climate change is the uncertainty it brings. Will the next hurricane be the one that destroys our homes? Will the droughts and heatwaves become so severe that they threaten our very survival? This constant state of uncertainty can be debilitating, eroding our sense of security and leaving us feeling powerless.

The Loss of Identity and Community
Climate change is not just destroying our physical environments; it's also eroding our sense of identity and community. As coastal towns are inundated, forests are ravaged, and traditional ways of life are disrupted, individuals are forced to confront the loss of their cultural heritage. This can lead to feelings of grief, displacement, and disorientation. In the circle of 2024, deaths were recorded due to climate disasters. According to various reports, here are some notable climate-related disasters and their corresponding death tolls:

Heatwaves in Asia, at least 30 people died in Thailand due to heat stroke, while India experienced severe heatwaves that affected voter turnout during elections. Floods in Brazil caused the death of over 100 people, and more than 130 are missing due to severe flooding in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. In West Africa (Kenya), more than 225 people lost their lives, and over 212,000 were displaced due to heavy rainfall and flooding. Cyclone Remal in Bangladesh and India, at least 69 people were killed, and hundreds of thousands were evacuated due to the cyclone. All these are creatures whom the earth was created for to survive in.

Globally, the World Economic Forum in collaboration with Oliver Wyman, a global management consulting firm in New York, estimated in their January 2024 report (Quantifying the Impact of Climate Change on Health), that climate change may cause an additional 14.5 million deaths by 2050, with floods posing the highest acute risk of climate-induced mortality, accounting for 8.5 million deaths. In October 2024, OCHA reported over 300 people died in Nigeria with 1.2 million displaced in 33 states with the excursion of cholera and malnutrition. Flood affects vast tracks of farmland across the country.

The Mental Health Impacts of Climate Change
The World Economic Forum estimates climate change could result in an additional 14.5 million deaths, $12.5 trillion in economic losses, and $1.1 trillion in extra costs to healthcare systems by 2050. The climate crisis is exacerbating infectious and cardiovascular diseases, respiratory issues, and other health problems, with vulnerable communities disproportionately affected.

The Economic Costs of Climate-Related Disasters
In 2023, the United States experienced 28 separate weather and climate disasters, each costing at least $1 billion in damages. The total cost of these disasters was $92.9 billion, with 492 direct or indirect fatalities. The increasing frequency and severity of climate-related disasters are having a profound impact on the economy, with the total cost of U.S. billion dollar disasters exceeding $2.66 trillion since 1980.

Building Climate-Resilient Health Systems
To mitigate the impacts of climate change on mental health and the economy, it's essential to build climate-resilient health systems. This requires a conjoined effort from governments, policymakers, the life sciences industry, and the healthcare sector. By prioritizing prevention, preparedness, and resilience, we can reduce the devastating consequences of climate-related disasters and promote a healthier, more sustainable future.

The Death Wish We Never Signed
So, what does it mean to live in a world where the very foundations of our existence are under threat? It means that we're forced to confront the possibility of our own mortality, and the mortality of the planet we call home. This is a death wish we never signed up for. We didn't ask for a world where the air is toxic, the oceans are rising, and the future is uncertain.

A Call to Action
Albeit, even in the face of such overwhelming challenges, there is hope. We can still choose to act, to fight for a world that's worth living in. We can sure demand our leaders to take bold action in reducing emissions, transition to renewable energy, and protect vulnerable communities.

Finally, climate change is not just an environmental issue; it's a mental health crisis. It's a crisis that demands our attention, our action, and our compassion. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and the future of our planet to take this crisis seriously, and to work towards a world that's worthy of our highest aspirations.