climate change and health


table 1: health impacts of climate change 13 weather event heat waves


extreme weather events (rain, hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding)


health effects heat stress


injuries, drowning


droughts, floods, increased mean vector-, food- and water-borne temperature


diseases sea-level rise drought, ecosystem migration


injuries, drowning, water and soil coastal, low SES salinisation, ecosystem and economic disruption


food and water shortages, malnutrition


extreme weather events, drought mass population movement, international conflict


increases in ground-level ozone, airborne allergens, and other pollutants


climate change generally; extreme events


change. We can then inform our colleagues, churches, and wider society about the health impacts. 14


Our advice to


patients also matters; a good diet (less meat, less processed food, local food) and walking or cycling to work not only improve health, but reduce carbon emissions as well. 15


2. moderate Small changes in lifestyle by many people can add up to a major contribution. So we need to consider our own carbon


nucleus christmas ‘08 low SES, elderly, children general population


respiratory disease exacerbations elderly, children, those with (COPD, asthma, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis)


respiratory disease mental health


footprints. Firstly, review your travel arrangements; for example, are all those flights really necessary? Secondly, assess your energy usage; does your home need more insulation? Thirdly, think about the food you eat. Has it been air-lifted across the world? Can you drink tap water instead of bottled water? A professor of public health argues that our role in addressing climate change is comparable to that in combatting smoking; we should be committed to both, setting a personal example. 16


young, displaced, agricultural sector, low SES


3. advocate Many of us will have opportunities to influence the organisations we work for to reduce their carbon footprints. Those who are enthused can join in advocating for local, national and global frameworks to constrain carbon dioxide emissions. 17


For example, you


could get involved with the Climate and Health Council. 18 Another starting point is to get your local church to act together by forming an Eco-congregation. The


33 populations most affected


extremes of age, athletes, people with respiratory disease


coastal, low-lying land dwellers, low socio-economic strata (SES)


multiple populations at risk


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