Awareness and Practices Regarding Global Warming and its Health Hazards among the Medical Students of Meerut

Global warming refers to an increase in average global temperatures, which in turn causes climate change. Climate change has emerged as one of the most devastating environmental threat and there is overwhelming evidence of wide range of implications for human health.

The objectives of this study were (1) To assess the awareness regarding global warming and its health hazards among the medical students and (2) To know the attitude and practices regarding climate change among the medical students.

This cross sectional study was conducted at Subharti Medical College, Swami Vivekananda Subharti University, Meerut.

400 Medical students from different courses of health sciences. A self administered, pre-tested, questionnaire was used.

94.50% students commented that global climate is changing; while 87.50% students opined that human activities are contributing to climate change. 33.75% of the students were aware about green house gases. 61.67% were aware about the meaning of ozone depletion. According to 65.00% students, direct physical hazards of extreme climatic events are most important health-related impact of climate change. Majority (52.50%) commented that deforestation and industrial and vehicular pollution contribute most to climate change.

Majority of students had awareness regarding global warming but improvement for mitigation is required. It is suggested that a large nation-wide awareness survey regarding global warming and its health hazards is necessary. Educational campaigns would be effective method in improving knowledge and awareness regarding global warming among the students.