THEThe anomalous heat of this summer 2022 brings with it various disadvantages for the health of people, as well as the planet. Record temperatures, extreme drought, melting glaciers and widespread fires across the peninsula go hand in hand with the risk of worsening the health of frail people, the elderly and children. People with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases are the most sensitive to rising temperatures and all cardiology societies are publishing decalogues and recommendations to prevent heat stroke and worsening of the symptoms of those who are already unwell.
Hot and rising insects
But now the experts of the Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (SIMA) they also launch an alert on the increase of insects. “The increase in summer temperatures, with the lengthening of the torrid periods (once limited to the first three weeks of August), is the cause of fires, but also of anomalous invasion of insects such as ticks, grasshoppers and tiger mosquitoes», Explains the president Alessandro Miani. “In this context, together with the inexorable deforestation of the planet, the extinction of numerous living species and an ever-decreasing biodiversity, they are emerging and spreading new vector-borne epidemics, diseases and zoonoses (insects, animals or fish) that sometimes colonize new habitats and areas where they were not previously present ».
Mosquitoes stay away even with the right food
There are still no scientific values, but it seems that some foods, metabolized by our body, cause the body to give off odors that disturb mosquitoes. In particular adiet rich in citrus fruits, berries and peppers it can help keep insects out, especially mosquitoes. Another excellent remedy to keep mosquitoes away is to cultivate plants that represent a natural repellent, such as lemongrass, lavender and geraniums, on balconies and terraces.
Anti mosquito spray not only in the evening
In this very hot and humid period, it is essential to leave the house after having yourself spray a mosquito repellent product on skin and clothing. Not only in the evening after sunset but also in the morning, since the annoying insects are now present at any time. The spray goes vaporized on the most vascularized areas such as ankles, feet, back of the knees, elbows and wrists. Young children and pregnant women should choose highly specific products recommended by the pharmacist, gentler on the skin and based on natural ingredients.
Because record heat and drought favor hurricanes
«Drought, fires, mountain subsidence and record heat are symptoms of a sudden change. Reverse the tide or rapid collapse of ecosystems. The events of this summer, with record temperatures, extreme drought, mountain subsidence and fires that rage across the peninsula show us once again that the collapse of ecosystems it will not be gradual but sudden. Without giving us the time to debate for other decades when it will be the case to abandon the fossil sources that cause climate-altering emissions, with disastrous effects on the climate and on the health of the populations “, say the experts of the Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (SIMA).
“This is combined with aanomalous distribution of precipitation (decreasing within a range of between 10 and 60%), which increasingly take the form of extreme events concentrated in autumn-winter, sometimes associated with Mediterranean hurricanes: 60 in the last 40 years, but with forecasts of 3 new events per year “adds Miani.
Reducing emissions is a public health act
The current energy crisis makes it more difficult to abandon fossil fuels, but a reversal of the course remains indispensable and cannot be postponed. «As SIMA we share the line of the World Health Organization, according to which any action that goes in the direction of reducing climate-altering emissions is also to be considered a positive public health intervention and we will ask the next government to put compliance with the Paris Agreements signed by Italy at the center of the new program and as part of the Zero Pollution And Forest Strategy European. Starting with the launch of a large and widespread reforestation campaign to be carried out without delay by Regions and Municipalities. The medium-term objective should be to plant 350 billion trees worldwide to reduce CO2 by 10% globally ”, concludes Miani.
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