2024, the hottest summer to date. With health consequences, as evidenced by a research conducted by the experts by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (Isglobal), which appeared on Nature Medicine.
In Europe there were 62,775 deaths related to the heat between June 1st and September 30th. And Italy is in the head of the ranking (negative) with the greatest number of deaths related to heat, over 19 thousand, together with the Spain that follows her at a distance. This is enough to understand how much and how climate change is under the eyes of the whole scientific community and becomes the theme of discussion for the Ets Onda Foundation. During the Congress of the Foundation, the theme of gender differences was also deepened in the perception of climatic change, thanks to an investigation by Elma Research on a sample of 2,552 people.
Worried Italians
The data show that 3 out of 4 Italians consider climate change and pollution one of the greatest threats for the future and consider environmental protection an urgent priority.
90 percent signal a strong link between pollution and health, especially for respiratory and oncological pathologies, while 60 percent report negative effects also on the psychological sphere, with anxiety and stress. Despite the widespread sensitivity, concrete actions often remain limited to the indispensable minimum, while distrust and sense of helplessness, especially among young people, hinder sustainable behaviors.
Fill this gap requires educational and social policies that strengthen individual and collective effectiveness and stimulate the commitment of citizens, institutions and businesses.
The results of the research emerges the strong concern of the Italians towards the environmental question, perceived as one of the most serious and urgent challenges. Seven out of ten consider climate change and pollution among the greatest threats, with a particularly strong sensitivity in women, showing a greater sense of urgency. The interviewees look to the future with fear: although hope (55 percent) prevails over resignation, a significant share (42 percent) feels impotent spectator in the face of the fate of the environment.
However, the perception of the problem changes according to the territory: those who live in highly polluted areas show greater awareness and sense of involvement, attributing responsibility to themselves. In these areas pollution is perceived as the main threat to health, with consequent limitations to daily personal freedom.
In short. The emotional picture is dominated by concern: 76 percent fear for their future and that of the new generations and 3 out of 4 Italians believe that in 50 years the world will be worse today. Extreme climatic events, increase in temperatures, disappearance of animal and vegetable species and spread of chronic diseases are among the main fears.
Climate change more pollution, the effects on the psyche
The analysis emerges how the psychological impact of the situation is evident: 60 percent declare to experience anxiety or stress thinking about environmental problems and 64 percent proof fear and anguish in the face of extreme climatic events.
“Air pollution and climate change are a serious threat of public health”
Comment Claudio Mencacci, co-president of the Italian Society of Neuropsychopharmacology and President Scientific Committee of Fondazione Onda Ets.
“We are all exposed: from the era of global warming we entered the era” of global boiling “, women, infants, teenagers and the elderly are even more. The numbers are impressive: 7 million people in the world, 80 thousand in Italy lose their lives due to air pollution which is considered as the second mortality risk factor exceeded only by hypertension. In particular, the ultra thin ones (PM 2.5), affect the whole organism, with an impact not only on cardiovascular and respiratory, also cause genetic mutations, favor the onset of tumors and affect our brain (stroke, parkinson-fragments) and mental health (autistic spectrum, ADHD, depression and anxiety) “.
On the latter front, exposure to particulates would cause (data relating to 2024) an increase in depression estimated at 16 percent and anxiety for 11 percent.
“For some years we have started talking about” Climate Anxiety “or” Solastalgia “and the effects on young people and women: feelings of helplessness, resignation, fear, fatalism in the face of these phenomena related to the environment, cause fear for the future”
The expert knows.
More attention to the environment
The research shows a very clear scenario: Italians recognize that the environmental question is a priority and consider the fight against pollution an urgent challenge. But this awareness too often remains on paper: in daily behaviors, in fact, we limit ourselves to making the bare minimum, especially when imposed – as in the case of separate collection – or when the problem touches very closely. Certain coercion can be a first step to ensure that virtuous behavior become part of our daily lives, but it is not enough.
“Today the real challenge is to ensure that the environmental problem is” really felt “, to fill the gap between what we think and what we do, overcome resignation and fatalism, and above all to return to young people the trust of feeling protagonists of a struggle in which all the actors are truly involved. Because the future is not already written: the future is built together, starting from the choices of each of us”.
To say it is Massimo Massagrande, CEO Elma Research.
“Women are at the center of the connection between climatic crisis, health and social justice. According to numerous scientific studies and on the basis of our work, they are often the first to undergo the impacts of pollution and climate change, but also the first to promote concrete solutions based on care, prevention and sustainability. Valoring their role and guaranteeing full access to education, research and decision -making processes is essential to deal with the environmental and health challenges of our time. A question of equity, but a necessity to build a healthier and more right future for all and all “
Remember Roberto Romizi, president of the Medici for the Environment Association – ISDE ITALIA.
