Scientists: Climate Change is Causing an Increase in Suicides

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Disasters and Climate Change

A United Methodist Insight Column

No two ways about it – extreme heat makes me crazy. Or perhaps crazier, since like millions of other Americans I cope daily with clinical depression. But now there’s empirical data that in addition to making people uncomfortable, climate change is causing an increase in suicides.

Contributor Sarah Myers, writing for “The Mighty” website, reports:

“Believe it or not, rising extreme temperatures are linked to increased suicide rates. This evidence comes from the Psychiatric Times, which reports there is an increase of suicide rates of 0.7 percent in the U.S. and 2.1 percent in Mexico during 1 degree Celsius (33.8 degrees Fahrenheit) increased temperature changes over average monthly temperatures. They also estimate there will be 9,000 to 40,000 additional suicides by the year 2050, due to rising temperatures.

“The reason why extreme heat impacts depression and suicidal tendencies is unclear, but some believe it has to do with changes in levels of serotonin. A group of Harvard researchers found that students who lived in air-conditioned dormitories had better overall functioning in their cognition, focus and memory. Working memory has been shown to be significantly altered in functioning due to heat as well.”

The solution? Myers writes: “Minimizing the impacts of climate change along with increasing mental health support through local and federal policy, education and awareness can help mitigate the effects of rising suicide rates with rising temperatures.”

It’s one more thing to add to the toolkit of United Methodist climate advocates for why we’re demonstrating for public policies and teaching “green” lifestyle alternatives. Has your church checked lately on your members and constituents who might be adversely affected by high temperatures or other weather extremes caused by climate change?

United Methodist Women joins climate action

“United Methodist Women is partnering with Creation Justice Ministries and other faith organizations for a national day of action to urge Congress to make climate justice a priority in the infrastructure package,” reports UMW’s climate expert Elizabeth Lee in an email.

Register to participate virtually 

Participants will receive:  

  • A call and email script to contact your Members of Congress anytime on Aug. 27.  
  • A toolkit to engage with your Members of Congress over social media 
  • An invitation to join us for the "Act for Creation, Act for Justice Launch Event" at noon ET on Aug. 27th featuring prominent speakers and advocacy training. 

New guidelines for mission in COVID-19 surge

As the latest COVID-19 surge from the Delta variant rolls on, United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) has put out new COVID guidelines, reports David W. Scott of UM & Global.

“The new guidelines cover those traveling in mission and those hosting mission travelers; the fully vaccinated, the partly vaccinated, and the unvaccinated; and domestic and international mission journeys,” writes Dr. Scott. “The guidelines are based on CDC recommendations but helpfully condense those guidelines for mission team members. All churches considering short-term mission experiences this fall are recommended to consult these guidelines, whether or not the experiences are official UMVIM journeys.”

Putting things in perspective

While we’re caught up in the news from Afghanistan, we mustn’t forget to keep track of the other events happening around us. Historian Heather Cox Richardson, in her Aug. 22 “Letters from an American,” writes of the need to keep perspective: “Interestingly, much of the U.S. media is describing this scenario as a disaster for President Biden. Yet, on CNN this morning, Matthew Dowd, who was the chief strategist for the Bush-Cheney ticket in 2004, noted that more than 20,000 people have been evacuated from Afghanistan without a single loss of an American life, while in the same period of time, 5,000 Americans have died from Covid-19 and 500 have died from gunshots.”

Getting ready for the next big blow

The Louisiana Annual Conference, which is possibly the most weather-traumatized region of The United Methodist Church, this week issued guidance for congregations to prepare for the possibility of hurricanes. The conference’s counsel could apply to many regions, especially in the Southeast, that could be hit by a hurricane or tropical storm.

One of the best resources the conference website provides is a link to a booklet put out by United Methodist Insurance, “Emergency Preparedness for Natural Disasters and Extreme Weather: A Handbook for Churches.” Aimed mainly at congregations, the booklet contains advice good for setting up personal disaster preparedness as well. (And no, it’s not all about hoarding toilet paper and bottled water). Don’t forget to consult the latest Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19) to adjust your hurricane planning.

A few preparations in case of a weather emergency can mitigate a lot of a storm’s effects. It might even save lives. Since three tropical storms, Fred, Grace and Henri, have developed in the past week, now is a good time to get ready for a big blow.

Fill backpacks for migrants

Church World Service volunteers will gather Aug. 28 in Oklahoma City to put together 1,000 CWS Welcome Backpacks for “asylum seekers at our southern border,” says Mary Catherine Hinds, CWS’ senior director for fundraising. “Generous and compassionate supporters like you have already donated enough to fill 854 backpacks,” Ms Hinds wrote in an email. “Please, help us fill the rest.”

According to her email, each complete backpack costs $75. Individual donations are:

  • Backpack and blanket $ 21
  • Hygiene supplies $ 31
  • Childrens’ activities $8
  • Snacks $15

A new solution to wildfires?

NPR’s daily newsletter reports: “In recent years' wildfires in Northern California, some of the homes that have burned have been at the ends of steep, winding dirt roads — places no fire truck driver would even try to go. Local governments are now looking at these homes as an opportunity, looking for willing sellers and turning the land into fire-resistant green spaces. Read about the effort or listen to the story.”

Media Mentions as of Aug. 23, 2021

Bishop responds after former American University chaplain accused of misconduct - The ... – The Washington Post

Evangelicals dead-set LGBTQ acceptance is major threat, five studies confirm - GoPride Chicago – ChicagoPride.com

Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011. "Crisis Watch" is part of Insight's participation in Covering Climate Now, a global collaboration of some 400 news outlets committed to enhance reporting on the worldwide climate crisis.