The Synergistic Threat of Pollution and Climate Change

Abstract

While it might be tempting to simplify our interactions with weather and longer-term climatic conditions as a simple byproduct of varying atmospheric conditions, this would be a mistake. As will be outlined in this chapter, air pollution (a nasty consequence of the mainly human activities and technology driving climate change!) by itself, is likely cardio-toxic. Moreover, concentrations of outdoor air pollution and its impact on the cardiovascular system varies according to the prevailing climatic conditions, topography and human structures/activity. Other forms of pollution, including indoor air pollution, metal pollutants, microplastics and noise pollution are also important factors in eroding the capacity of an individual’s cardiovascular (and broader cardiopulmonary) system to maintain homeostasis when confronted with provocative climatic conditions. It is for this reason that ‘pollution’ has been elevated to the status of being a “non-traditional, major risk factor” for cardiovascular disease. But how much does climate and climate change influence it’s impact on our heart health? To answer this question, in this chapter the synergistic threat of pollution as both a consequence and cause of climate change will be explored.