We talk a lot about fossil fuels, greenhouse gases, and how the impacts they have on the environment. Something that is not often talked about, however, is the impact of fossil fuels on human health. According to an article published by the NYU School of Law, the burning of fossil fuels and the inhalation of the subsequently polluted air contribute to several health conditions, including, but not limited to: asthma, cardiovascular disease, and preterm birth. What’s more, the article states that “if fossil fuels were completely eliminated, the global average life expectancy would increase by 1.1 years”. The article then goes on to describe the effects of burning fossil fuels, and different variations of pollutants. The thing that interested me most about this article was the mention of a study done in Southern California, where diminished levels of particulate matter (mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets) and nitrogen dioxide over a 21 year period lead to 20% fewer cases of childhood diagnoses of asthma. This is just one of many examples of how fossil fuels and greenhouse gases effect both the environment, the world around us, and humanity as a species.
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That’s really interesting that we could increase life expectancy by reducing carbon emissions. I have noticed that so many people have asthma now.
I think it is great that you brought up the relationship between fossil fuels emissions and health. This can also be tied to the major social justice issue that people in lower-income areas will be more likely directed exposed to emitting fossil fuels and be subjected to chronic health issues caused by them.
This is a great article. As someone who both has asthma and was born preterm, these things are very interesting to me. The study you mentioned and its results really make one think about the health of future generations from minute changes in our world today. The inhalation of fossil fuels is definitely more harsh and less harsh in different parts of the world which I think makes the issue even more complex.
I really enjoyed reading this as it is something that I personally have never thought about. Yes we do talk about all the time the impact of extracting and using fossil fuels but never about their impacts on our own health.