The constant noise of cities is detrimental to our health. This is one conclusion. UN report published Thursday.
According to the UN, people all over the world, from Barcelona and Cario, to New York, are at risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease due to the constant roaring of traffic, construction sites, and other sources noise pollution. environment programme.
Cities that never sleep because of noise pollution
Europe alone is home to 48,0000 cases per year of heart disease and 12,000 premature deaths each year.
Birds are the most affected in the animal kingdom. Zebra finches, tree sparrows and tits are singing louder or adjusting their frequency so they can communicate with each other over the clamor. However, this is causing more frequent misunderstandings among birds and can reduce the chances of males finding a partner for mating. Their new songs don’t always go down well with the birds.
According to the, it could be beneficial to plant more trees and shrubbery in cities. report’s authors. The use of plants would disperse and soften noise while improving the climate and urban environment. For example, a line of trees planted behind a noise barrier wall can reduce noise levels by approximately 12 decibels.
Researchers say that giving cyclists more space would reduce the noise level.
It is possible to reduce traffic noise by expanding cycleways or reducing car lanes. Green zones in cities could encourage quieter electric vehicles, and improve air quality.
Natural disaster Rhythms
Migratory birds are no longer flying south in the winter, plants are blooming much earlier, and birds are building nests for their young earlier when there are not enough insects around to feed them.
Climate change is not just increasing global average temperatures, it’s also disrupting life cycles established over thousands of years. These changes are affecting all kinds of habitats from mountain areas and coastal regions to forests and grasslands.
The planet is warming at a rate that animals and plants cannot adapt, increasing the risk of ecosystems in the ocean and land being destroyed with unforeseeable consequences for humanity.
Shifting seasons can affect migratory birds as well
To slow the pace and impact of climate change, we need to drastically reduce our emissions. But to deal with changes to life cycles, the researchers say it’s essential to actively protect species, restore ecosystems and connect habitats by creating wildlife corridors. This is the only way to ensure that species’ gene pools remain intact and that they have the chance to adapt to new conditions through natural selection.
Fighting fire with fire
WildfiresFires are an integral part of many environments. However, longer and more severe heatwaves and droughts are prolonging fire season and increasing the likelihood of fires bursting out.
Last year, huge areas of forest were destroyed by fires in California, Siberia, Turkey, and Australia. These fires also released large amounts of pollutants like soot, particulate matter, and greenhouse gases, which significantly impacted the air quality in nearby towns. Wildfires can also contribute to water pollution, marine overfishing, and loss in biodiversity.
Globally, fires related to climate change are becoming more common
The UN report authors suggest that some precautionary measures can be taken to reduce wildfires and their effects. Better cooperation between neighboring regions, satellite monitoring, lightning Improved early warning systems and firefighting capability could all be of assistance.
Experts recommend traditional fire fighting methods. Because it uses all available fuel, controlled burning of bush or forest creates a barrier against an oncoming forest fire. Certain ecosystems have the potential to benefit from fires. For example, some plants and flowers can only grow when their seed are heated by burning.
This article was originally published in German
