Find out how you might be affected by climate change.
The discussion of climate change has been on the rise. There has been plenty of talk of how the Earth and animals will be affected, but what about us as humans. A rise in climate change can result in a rise in temperatures, an increased likelihood of extreme weather events and a great loss of property and habitable destinations. There is research which suggests that all of these changes can have an impact on us, i.e. through our behaviours or physical/mental health.
Aggression
Aggression is typically defined by psychologists as an individual wishing to cause harm to another who would wish to avoid intended harm. There are many forms of aggression, for example physical, verbal and emotional. With Global Warming and Climate Change on the rise and causing environmental changes, it is important for researchers to understand the effects this can have on aggressive behaviour.
Research into CLASH (Climate, Aggression and Self-control in Humans) has suggested that those who develop in warmer climates and harsher environments tend to have lower levels of self-control. This lack in self-control is more likely to lead to an aggressive outburst compared to those who have higher levels of self-control.[i]
In addition, Burke et al conducted a meta-analysis which found an “effect of temperature increased the likelihood of interpersonal and intergroup conflict around the world. One standard deviation increase in temperature was associated with a 11.3% increase in intergroup conflict.”[ii] This suggests that there is a correlation between a change in temperature and the amount of conflict occurring.
Finally, Perry and Simpson (1987) reported that temperature significantly correlated with rates of violent assault.[iii] It’s important to note that all violent assault is aggression but not all aggression is violent. So, the assault included in this report may have included; domestic violence or grievous bodily harm for example.
This is just some evidence, there is ongoing research between the effects on global warming and climate change on aggression. This post is not trying to tell you that you will become aggressive if climate change continues to worsen, but that it is important to note how we can be affected without even knowing it.
Physical and Mental Health
The rise in temperature doesn’t just have an effect on our aggression levels, it can also lead to an increase in rates of heat stroke and in some cases higher cortisol levels which is the neurotransmitter linked to stress.[iv] Some of this stress may simply be from worrying about the state of the planet and their future. As a result of worry and uncertainty, people try and help by ‘doing their bit.’ This may include organising events, such as a beach clean. All of this worry and organising can leave people exhausted and stressed as a result.
In some cases, the stress has been a lot worse. It has been suggested that uncertainty surrounding the climate has led to suicides. In areas such as India, there are farmers who commit suicide during droughts as this ruins their crops which means their income suffers.[v] Obviously this would mean they then worried about money and how they could provide for themselves and their family. With the current state of the planet and climate change, it is becoming more likely that the number of these incidences will only increase.
There are extreme weather events which occur and can cause major destructions and disruption to individual’s homes and lives. This can, of course have an impact on the mental health of those who suffer.
After a tsunami in Asia, many individuals developed moderate to severe forms of psychiatric disorders.[vi] Some disorders included where anxiety, depression and phobias. In addition, hurricane Katrina resulted in a rise in anxiety and PTSD. Self-harm and PTSD incidences continued to grow and were still present 2 years after.[vii]
Another problem caused by the disruption of these extreme weather events is that it can make it hard for individuals to receive the help they require or collect medication. So, if an individual is already suffering from any medical complications, they may get worse because they don’t have the services they need. After such events it is not always known how long the area will suffer, so it may be months before people can receive medical support. These drastic changes can also lead to individuals turning to substance abuse. This would be the individual’s way of coping as severe life changes can cause high levels of stress and feelings of hopelessness.
[i] https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/behavioral-and-brain-sciences/article/aggression-and-violence-around-the-world-a-model-of-climate-aggression-and-selfcontrol-in-humans-clash/39F8C1E903B0A355948316C3B9003740/core-reader
[ii] Burke, M., Hsiang, S. M. & Miguel, E. (2015) Climate and conflict. Annual Review of Economics 7:577–617
[iii] Perry JD, Simpson ME. Violent crimes in a city: environmental determinants. Enviorn Behav. 1987;19(1):77–90
[iv]https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA431722029&v=2.1&u=uniaber&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w
[v] Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Causes of farmer suicides in Maharashtra: an enquiry. 2005. http:// www.tiss.edu/Causes%20of%20Farmer%20Ssuicides%20in%20Maharashtra.pdf. Accessed September 15, 2015.
[vi] World Health Organization. Tsunami wreaks mental health havoc. Bull World Health Organ. 2005;83:405-406
[vii] Kessler RC, Galea S, Gruber MJ, et al. Trends in mental illness and suicidality after Hurricane Katrina. Mol Psychiatry. 2008;13:374-384.
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