Climate change already causing increases in stress, depression and negative mental health, study shows | The Independent
Women and people on low incomes are more likely to report mental health problems due to weather Mental health has already been impacted by events linked to climate change , such as multi-year temperature warming, increased rainfall and extreme weather events, a new study shows. Scientists analysed data from nearly two million US residents who reported the state of their mental health for 30 days with the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention between 2002 and 2012, coupling this with climate data. On average, months with temperatures above 30C or more than 25 days of rainfall saw increased reports of stress, depression and problems with emotions, scientists said in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences . Nick Obradovich, the studys co-author and Massachusetts Institute of Technology research scientist, said: Its really important to consider this as yet another piece in the puzzle of understanding how climate change will influence society, and the conclusion here is that its not likely to be good. The sheer scale of the study adds important weight to the growing body of evidence that shows exposure to climate change-related heat worsens mental health and increases suicide rates. Alarmingly, Dr Obradovichs team also found that women and those on low incomes were 60 per cent more likely to report mental health problems as a result of weather than the highest earners. The study also noted a 4 per cent rise in reports of poor mental health linked to Hurricane Katrina , which struck the US Gulf Coast in August 2005 and affected millions of people. AFP via Getty AFP via Getty Getty Getty AFP via Getty AFP via Getty AFP via Getty The Mercury/AFP via Getty AFP via Getty AP EPA AFP via Getty Reuters EPA EPA Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP Reuters AFP via Getty AP EPA AFP via Getty AFP via Getty AFP via Getty AFP via Getty USA Today Sports/Reuters AFP via Getty AFP via Getty EPA Reuters TUT.BY/AFP via Getty AFP via Getty Reuters AFP via Getty AFP via Getty AFP via Getty AFP via Getty Reuters AFP via Getty Reuters AP AFP via Getty AFP via Getty AFP via Getty AFP via Getty AFP via Getty AP AFP via Getty AFP via Getty AFP via Getty AFP via Getty Delving deeper into the findings, Dr Obradovich said: One of our theories is its possibly being driven through the effects of higher temperatures upon sleep. However, theres a lot of other ways it could be happening. He believed other possible factors could include the negative effects of heat upon an individuals productivity and cognitive function, or its impact upon the brains ability to regulate emotion. We dont know for sure and a big part of the work that we as climate change social scientists and impact scientists have to do is figure out what is driving the effects largely because if youre a policymaker you want to know what you should target to reduce these effects, he said. Dr Obradovich also pointed out the study did not take into account the impact that the existential risk of climate change could be having upon our collective mental health, or harder to quantify symptoms of climate change such as rising sea levels. He called for all countries to improve their mental healthcare services so if people face stressors that are produced by climate change, they may have a better baseline level of mental healthcare and availability. However, the study stated that the correlation between rising heat levels and worsened mental health may not persist into the future, as humans could find a way to adapt either technologically or physiologically to the effects observed. On the day of the studys publication, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned there are only 12 years left to limit global temperature increases to below 1.5C. The UN report argued urgent and unprecedented policy changes are necessary to avoid the worst effects of global warming. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Log in New to The Independent? Or if you would prefer: Want an ad-free experience? Hi {{indy.fullName}}