Climate change, environmental factors, reproduction, and health

BackgroundMany areas of our lives are affected by climate change. Research questionWhat are the causes and consequences of climate change for reproduction and health? Materials and methodsImportant literature was selected from PubMed, as were official data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Environment Agency, and the Federal Environment Agency. In addition, noise emissions were measured on a through road and not calculated as usual. ResultsHuman health is endangered by heat and other environmental factors. Dehydration and stress caused by heat can trigger or exacerbate cardiovascular diseases, thrombosis, kidney failure, respiratory diseases, and metabolic disorders. Psychological problems also arise (climate anxiety). In Germany, tens of thousands of people die from heat and the consequences of particulate matter and noise pollution; however, this is only the tip of the iceberg: millions more are sick.Reproduction plays a special role. Sexuality is negatively affected, and reproductive ageing is accelerated in women. Climate change is leading to high numbers of premature births, stillbirths, and low birthweights worldwide. In men, exocrine testicular function is reversibly impaired. ResultsHuman health is endangered by heat and other environmental factors. Dehydration and stress caused by heat can trigger or exacerbate cardiovascular diseases, thrombosis, kidney failure, respiratory diseases, and metabolic disorders. Psychological problems also arise (climate anxiety). In Germany, tens of thousands of people die from heat and the consequences of particulate matter and noise pollution; however, this is only the tip of the iceberg: millions more are sick.Reproduction plays a special role. Sexuality is negatively affected, and reproductive ageing is accelerated in women. Climate change is leading to high numbers of premature births, stillbirths, and low birthweights worldwide. In men, exocrine testicular function is reversibly impaired. ConclusionCooling down and sufficient hydration are necessary to combat heat. In view of the extensive damage, one gets the impression that little is being done politically to combat climate change; the focus is on compensating for the consequences of climate change. UN Secretary-General Guterres painted a bleak picture in 2021 and said that the world is on the brink. One ray of hope is that clean energy, i.e., wind and solar, is globally unrivaled in terms of cost and will therefore continue to grow rapidly.