Climate change is impacting the human brain, according to a recent study. The study highlights that environmental factors associated with climate change, such as extreme weather events and air pollution, could significantly alter brain structure and cognitive abilities.
Reduced neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to make new connections and remember old ones, could impede our capability to think clearly, break bad habits, and learn skills. The study warns that these changes in brain structure and function could lead to impaired cognitive abilities, increased mental health issues, and altered decision-making processes.
To better understand the impacts of climate change on the human brain, the researchers are calling for more cross-disciplinary neuroscience and climate change research. They specifically implore for research examining the impact on the human brain after being exposed to more severe weather events like heatwaves, droughts, hurricanes, forest fires, and floods.
Co-author Dr. Mathew White notes, “We need to start seeing brain function and climate change as interlinked and take action to protect our brains against the future realities of climate change.” The research findings have been published in Nature Climate Change.
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