SDG 13: Climate Action
Climate action should be on everyone’s minds as it has a great impact on our working life. With the changes in our climate the degree of safety and health must increase as it is important that employees are protected.
Generally, changes in climate can increase the safety and health hazards we already know such as air pollution, infectious diseases, increase in temperatures leading to heat stress. The new safety and health hazards of increased vector habitat, the spread of vector-borne infections and lack of immunity in the general public, for example malaria in Kabaale can have a major impact on workers health. Increased use of pesticides and allergic reactions predominately in children are predicted resulting in asthma, respiratory allergies, and airway diseases. Also, predicted are cancer, cardiovascular disease and stroke, heat-related morbidity and mortality, chronic kidney diseases of non-traditional origin, mental health and stress-related disorders, neurological diseases and disorders, water-borne diseases, weather-related morbidity and mortality, plus, vector-borne, zoonotic, and other infectious diseases.
Accompanying, this is the way that we respond to the changes in climate change. Can we change the way we live and work? Can we start implementing the sustainability concepts and make a difference or will we just wait on the inevitable coming. Can Africa save the world? If Africa decides to follow the devastating way the majority of so called ‘developed countries’ behaved and are still behaving; then the world is doomed.
Occupations that will be affected include agricultural workers, construction workers, all outdoor workers [e.g. street sellers, sugar cane workers], emergency responders, police and army to name a few.
Can we through the use of ‘green energies’ make a difference, can technology save us?
The answer lies in all our hands, the question is are we willing to change?
To achieve this Uganda needs Safety, Health and Environment. Can you be instrumental in making this happen, if yes contact EISMAT at
info@eismat.ac.ug/ 0705 336 066.
