Climate change, premonitor of a global social environmental disaster

Authors

  • Andrei N. Tchernitchin Universidad de Chile
  • Miguel H San Martín

Abstract

During the last century climate changes developed on planet Earth, acquir¬ing in the last decades, such speed and intensity that allows us to qualify the situation as a climate emergency. It threatens on a global scale with an extinction of all living species, and in particular, the human species. This document analyzes some of the main causes related to emissions of greenhouse gases, mainly attributed to human activities. Other effects of climate changes on humans include: 1, spreading of tropical diseases; 2, floods; 3, hurricanes; 4, prolonged droughts; 5, increase in desertification zones; 6, massive species extinctions, and 7, increase in mortality rates due to hyperthermia and malnutrition. Some of the consequences of these events are: 1. Crisis of the economic models related to growth and goods production, which cast doubts on the current paradigms associated with wealth concentration and economic inequality increasing levels; 2 unem¬ployment increase due to robotization of services and goods production; 3, famines; 4, massive migrations, and 5, social turmoil, including toxic substances contamination. All these events may intensify armed conflicts between countries with threats of nuclear weapons use, pointing to a prob¬able end of our civilization, at least as we know it. There are policies that can stop this process by changing the growth and development models currently in use. We must consider that the current capitalist/neoliberal model is fed by consumerism of goods and services which prevents us from reestablishing the balance necessary for the health and wellbeing of the planet. This implies that all of humanity must embrace the challenge of following a new paradigm or model of growth and development, that takes into account both sustainability and maintainability independent of the market demands that keep them captive today.

Keywords:

Climate change, prevention, mitigation, Climate crisis and Public policies

References

Atkinson J.M. (1997). “Advanced Chemical Weapons” en Advanced Chemical Weapons Course.

Granite Publish Group, Gloucester, Maryland, USA, pp 1–132

Bauer A.Z., Kriebel D. (2013). “Prenatal and perinatal analgesic exposure and autism: an ecological link” en Environ Health 12: 41.

Bauer A.Z., Kriebel D., Herbert M.R., Bornehag C.G., Swan S.H. (2018). “Prenatal paracetamol exposure and child neurodevelopment: A review” en Horm Behav 101: 125–147.

Bessac B.F., Sivula M., von Hehn C.A., Caceres A.I., Escalera J., Jordt S.E. (2009). “Transient recep- tor potential ankyrin 1 antagonists block the noxious effects of toxic industrial isocyanates and tear gases” en FASEB J 23: 1102–1114.

Brône B., Peeters P.J., Marrannes R., Mercken M., Nuydens R., Meert T., Gijsen H.J. (2008). “Tear gasses CN, CR, and CS are potent activators of the human TRPA1 receptor” en Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 231: 150–156.

Consejo de Desarrollo Sustentable de Chile (2008). “Informe cambio climático y sus principales impactos en Chile” en Revista CDS Chile 3 (1): 6–28.

Dimitroglou Y., Rachiotis, Hadjichristodoulou C. (2015). “Exposure to the riot control agent CS and potential health effects: a systematic review of the evidence” en Int J Environ Res Public Health 12: 1397–1411.

El Espectador, Colombia (2011). Chile suspende uso de gases lacrimógenos para disolver protes- tas. May 17, 2011. Accesado 13 de febrero de 2020 https://www.elespectador.com/content/ chile-suspende-uso-de-gases-lacrim%C3%B3genos-para-disolver-protestas.

Fan G., Wang B., Liu C., Li D. (2017) .“Prenatal paracetamol use and asthma in childhood: A sys- tematic review and meta-analysis” en Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 45: 528–533.

Hu H., Fine J., Epstein P., Kelsey K., Reynolds P., Walker B. (1989). “Tear gas – harassing agent or toxic chemical weapon?” en J Amer Med Assoc 262: 660–663.

Hui L.L., Lam H.S., Lau E.Y.Y., Nelson E.A.S., Wong T.W., Fielding R. (2016). “Prenatal dioxin exposure and neurocognitive development in Hong Kong 11-year-old children” en Environ Res 150: 205–212.

Jorquera P., Palma R. (2019). “Estudio de perdigón – Informe final” en https://www.uchile.cl/ documentos/estudio-de-perdigones-fcfm-u-de-chile-pdf-completo_159315_0_4801.pdf. Accesado 27 de noviembre de 2019.

Kitchen I., Kelly M. (1993). “Effect of perinatal lead treatment on morphine dependence in the adult rat” en Neurotoxicology 14: 125–129.

Langer P., Kocan A., Tajtáková M., Susienková K., Rádiková Z., Koska J., Ksinantová L., Imrich R., Hucková M., Drobná B., Gasperíková D., Trnovec T., Klimes I. (2009). “Multiple adverse thyroid and metabolic health signs in the population from the area heavily polluted by or- ganochlorine cocktail (PCB, DDE, HCB, dioxin)” en Thyroid Res 2: 3.

Lasley S.M., Greenland R.D., Minnema D.J., Michaelson I.A. (1985). “Altered central monoamine response to D-amphetamine in rats chronically exposed to inorganic lead” en Neurochem Res 10: 933–944.

Magnus M.C., Karlstad Ø., Håberg S.E., Nafstad P., Davey Smith G., Nystad W. (2016). “Prenatal and infant paracetamol exposure and development of asthma: the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study” en Int J Epidemiol 45: 512–522.

McDowell J., Kitchen I. (1988) “Perinatal lead exposure alters the development of δ- but not μ-opioid receptors in rat brain” Br J Pharmacol 94: 933–937.

Nation J.R., Miller D.K., Bratton G.R. (2000). “Developmental lead exposure alters the stimulatory properties of cocaine at PND 30 and PND 90 in the rat” en Neuropsychopharmacology 23: 444–454.

Needleman H.L., Schell A., Bellinger D., Leviton A., Allred E.N. (1990). “The long-term effects of exposure to low doses of lead in childhood. An 11-year follow-up report”. N Engl en J Med 322: 83–88.

Needleman H.L., Riess J.A., Tobin M.J., Biesecker G.E., Greenhouse J.B. (1996) “Bone lead levels and delinquent behavior” en J Am Med Assn 275: 363–369.

Nevin R. (2007). “Understanding international crime trends: the legacy of preschool lead exposure” en Environ Res 104: 315–336.

Piler P., Švancara J., Kukla L., Pikhart H. (2018). “Role of combined prenatal and postnatal pa- racetamol exposure on asthma development: the Czech ELSPAC study” en J Epidemiol Community Health 72: 349–355.

Rocha A., Valles R., Cardon A.L., Bratton G.R., Nation J.R. (2005). “Enhanced acquisition of cocai- ne self-administration in rats developmentally exposed to lead” en Neuropsychopharmacology 30: 2058–2064.

Rothenberg C., Achanta S., Svendsen E.R., Jordt S.-E. (2016) “Tear gas: an epidemiological and mechanistic reassessment” Ann NY Acad Sci 1378: 96–107.

Rothenberg S.J., Schnaas L., Cansino-Ortiz S., Perroni-Hernández E., De La Torre P., Neri-Méndez

C. et al. (1989). “Neurobehavioral deficits after low level lead exposure in neonates: the Mexico City pilot study” en Neurotoxicol Teratol 11: 85–93.

San Juan el Teólogo. Biblia, Nuevo Testamento “La Revelación” 16:16.

Schenk S.A., Dick F., Herzog C., Eberhardt M.J., Leffler A. (2019). “Active metabolites of dipyro- ne induce a redoxdependent activation of the ion channels TRPA1 and TRPV1” en Pain Rep 4: e720.

Taalas Petteri (2019). “La concentración de gases de efecto invernadero alcanza nuevas cifras récord” en https://www.eitb.eus/es/noticias/sociedad/detalle/6843387/informe-omm-2018- concentracion-gases-efecto-invernadero/ Accesado 27 de noviembre de 2019.

Tai P.T., Nishijo M., Nghi T.N., Nakagawa H., Van Luong H., Anh T.H., Nishijo H. (2016). “Effects of Perinatal Dioxin Exposure on Development of Children during the First 3 Years of Life” en J Pediatr 175: 159–166.

Tapia J., Valdés J., Orrego R., Tchernitchin A., Dorador C., Bolados A., Harrod C. (2018). “Geologic and anthropogenic sources of contamination in settled dust of a historic mining port city in northern Chile: Health risk implications” en Peer J 6: c4699, 29p.

Tchernitchin A.N., Tchernitchin N. (1992). “Imprinting of paths of heterodifferentiation by pre- natal or neonatal exposure to hormones, pharmaceuticals, pollutants and other agents or conditions” en Med Sci Res 20: 391–397.

Tchernitchin A.N., Lapin N., Molina L., Molina G., Tchernitchin N.A., Acevedo C. et al. (2005) “Human exposure to lead in Chile” en Rev Environ Contam Toxicol 185: 93–139.

Tchernitchin A.N., Muñoz G. (2012). “Efectos sobre la salud y el medio ambiente de las activi- dades mineras en Chile. Contaminación del Estero Pupío y agua potable del Pueblo de Caimanes: ¿se origina desde el tranque de relaves mineros El Mauro?” en Cuad Med Soc (Chile) 52: 199–214.

Tchernitchin A.N., Gaete L., Bustamante R., Sorokin Y.A. (2013). “Adulthood prenatally program- med diseases - Health relevance and methods of study” en Protein Purification and Analysis I. Methods and Applications. Hong Kong, iConcept Press, pp 217–258.

Tchernitchin A.N., Gaete L. (2015). “Prenatal exposures to environmental agents or drugs promote the development of diseases later in life” en Biol Med (Aligarh) 7 (3) 1000236, 4p.

Tchernitchin A.N. (2017). “Contaminación Ambiental y Salud Pública” en La Revista, Boletín Nº 2016-2017, Chile Mirando Hacia Su Futuro, Sociedad Suiza de Americanistas, Ginebra, Suiza pp 124–143.

Tchernitchin A.N., Gaete L. (2018) “Influencia de contaminantes ambientales en la gestación hu- mana: causante de patologías en el adulto” en Rev Chil Pediat 89: 761–765.

Tchernitchin A.N., Tapia T., Benítez B., Bolados A. (2019). “Desarrollo de los Eventos de Contaminación Ambiental en Antofagasta desde 1950 hasta 2018. Efectos en Salud” en Cuad Med Soc (Chile) 59 (2): 67–83.

ten Tusscher G.W., de Weerdt J., Roos C.M., Griffioen R.W., De Jongh F.H., Westra M., van der Slikke J.W., Oosting, J., Olie K., Koppe J.G. (2001). “Decreased lung function associated with perinatal exposure to Dutch background levels of dioxins” en Acta Paediatrica 90, 1292–1298.

ten Tusscher G.W., Steerenberg P.A., van Loveren H., Vos J.G., von dem Borne A.E., Westra M., van der Slikke J.W., Olie K., Pluim H.J., Koppe J.G. (2003). “Persistent hematologic and immunologic disturbances in 8-year-old Dutch children associated with perinatal dioxin exposure” en Environmental Health Perspectives 111, 1519–1523.

UN Environment Programme (2018). “Emissions Gap Report” 88p.

Vlenterie R., Wood M.E., Brandlistuen R.E., Roeleveld N., van Gelder M.M., Nordeng H. (2016). “Neurodevelopmental problems at 18 months among children exposed to paracetamol in utero: a propensity score matched cohort study” en Int J Epidemiol 45: 1998–2008.

Vreugdenhil H.J., Slijper F.M., Mulder P.G., Weisglas-Kuperus N. (2002). Effects of perinatal expo- sure to PCBs and dioxins on play behavior in Dutch children at school age. Environmental Health Perspectives 110, A593–A598.

Vreugdenhil H.J., Mulder P.G., Emmen H.H., Weisglas-Kuperus N. (2004). “Effects of perinatal exposure to PCBs on neuropsychological functions in the Rotterdam cohort at 9 years of age” en Neuropsychology 18, 185–193.

Wang S.L., Su P.H., Jong S.B., Guo Y.L., Chou W.L., Päpke O. (2005). “In utero exposure to dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls and its relations to thyroid function and growth hormone in newborns” en Environ Health Perspect 113, 1645–1650.

Weisglas-Kuperus N., Patandin S., Berbers G.A., Sas T.C., Mulder P.G., Sauer P.J., Hooijkaas H. (2000). “Immunologic effects of background exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and dioxins in Dutch preschool children” en Environmental Health Perspectives 108, 1203–1207.