|
Protecting Health from Climate
Change
Health is one of the areas most affected by
climate change – and it is being affected now
The science is clear. The earth is
warming, the warming is accelerating, and human
actions are responsible. If current warming
trends remain uncontrolled, humanity will face
more injury, disease and death related to
natural disasters and heatwaves; higher rates of
foodborne, waterborne and vector-borne illness;
and more premature death and disease related to
air pollution. Moreover, in many parts of the
world, large populations will be displaced by
rising sea level and affected by drought and
famine. As glaciers melt, the hydrological cycle
shifts and the productivity of arable land
changes. We are beginning to be able to measure
some of these effects on health even now.
Enlarge poster (pdf, 491 kb)
|
The health impacts of climate change will hit
the poor hardest
The physical effects of climate change
will vary in different geographical locations.
The human health impacts from climate change are
further modified by such conditions as level of
development, poverty and education.
Enlarge poster (pdf,
1 MB) |
More
 Traditional
public health tools are important components of
effective response to climate change
Clean water and sanitation, safe and adequate
food, immunization, disease surveillance and
response, safe and effective disease vector
control, and disaster preparedness are all
critical components of public health practices
that are also adaptations to climate change.
Enlarge
poster (pdf, 151) |
More
 Cross-sector,
interdisciplinary partnerships are necessary to
address this global health threat
Climate change is wide ranging, and effective
adaptation will require the building of
partnerships to leverage the expertise of
government agencies, intergovernmental and
nongovernmental organizations, industry and
professional groups and local communities.
Enlarge poster (pdf, 1.3 MB) |
More
|
|