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Climate Changes and Environmental
Emergency Medicine
Tareg Bey, MD, FAAEM, FACMT, DEAA
Professor of Emergency Medicine
University of California Irvine
UCI Medical Center
Tareg Bey, MD, FAAEM, FACMT,DEAAProfessor of Emergency Medicine
Department of Emergency MedicineUniversity of California Irvine
Orange, CA
Climate Changes and Environmental EM
Prehospital Disaster Medicine2008;23(2):101-102
Tareg Bey, MD; Ernst U. von Weizsäcker, PhD;
Kristi L. Koenig, MD
Global Warming: Polar Bears and People—Implications for Public Health
Preparedness and Disaster Medicine: A Call to Action
Objectives
� Global Warming
� Disasters
� Recent developments
� Effects on Human Mankind
Gobal Warming and Greenhouse Gases: A Hot Topic
Highly controversial topic among
politicians, economic leaders, scientists and the general public
http://meteora.ucsd.edu/~jnorris/sio117/ipcc_figs/IPCC_FAQ1.3small.bmp
Facts
� Earth atmosphere temperature is rising
� Water temperature is rising
� Climate change
� Key greenhouse gas producers: energy, transportation and food production
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988
Intergovenmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
http://ipcc-wg1.ucar.edu/wg1/wg1-report.html
Larsen Ice B Shelf Break in 20023250 km2 Size of Luxemburg
Difference between Weather and Climate
Controversy
but Climate influences WeatherTemperature by 2100 up 5.8 oC
Changes in Mean Climatic Conditions
� Temperature
� Precipitation
� Humidity
� Wind Pattern
Disaster - Definition
� Management: Resources and needs mismatch - Surge capacity
� Impact of hazards that negatively affect society and/or environment
� Risks, hazards and vulnerability (HxV)
Disasters with a Link to Weather and Climate
� Global Warming, glacial meltdown, drinking water shortage, famine
� Sea-level rise, desertification, deforestation
� Increase of vector-born diseases
� Gulf stream shutdown
� Overfishing, acidification of oceans (CO2
greenhouse gases)
Social and Economic Impacts of Climate Change
� Health impacts related to stresses on communities
� Loss of income and productivity
� Diminished quality of life� Social disruption� Community displacement
� Climate refugees and immigration health issues (Malaria, TB, nutrition etc)
Linda Rudolph, MD (CDPH)
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988
� More damage because of storm and other weather related calamities to building, transport, energy, communication and water services
� Greater frequency and severity of extreme weather events: Heatwaves, fires floods, landslides, droughts and storm surges will become significantly more frequent
� Blackouts due to peak energy demand for air conditioners will become common in spite the fact that there will be less energy use for winter heating
� Coastal flooding: Projected global warming this century is likely to trigger serious consequences for humanity and other life forms, including a rise in sea levels of between 18 and 59 cm which will endanger coastal areas and small islands
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988
� Severe water shortages
� Reduced agricultural production due to drought and fire
� Risk for peace and security due to increased possibilities of wars for claims for water, land and other resources
� Increase in refugees from the effects of climate change
� Increase in mosquito, food and water-borne diseases
� Loss of biodiversity
Global Warming: Threats
� Humans
� Environment
� Social
� Economic
Famine
� Hunger, malnutrition, starvation
� Complex humanitarian emergencies
� World Food Programme (UN)
Bangladesh: Cyclones, Flooding
Deforestation, FloodingExample Bangladesh
Infectious Diseases Spread after Weather
� Malaria
� Dengue fever (South America)
� Tick-born encephalitis increase in Sweden after warmer winters
� West Nile in the US
Fishery and Climate Change
� Headlines: Global Warming Threatens Cold-Water Fish As temperatures rise, salmon and trout are likely to disappear from streams across the United States -- unless global warming pollution is reduced.
The Natural Resources Defense Council
Countermeasures against Global Warming and Climate Change
� Reduction of CO2 production and carbon footprint --- Public transportation vs individual traffic – Energy management/conservation
� Early warning systems and forecasting
� Change in the food and meat production
� Crop: variety, genetic modification, planning, irrigation modification
� Vector control
Global Warming, Climate Change and Disaster
� Climate change can viewed as challenge and chance for mankind
� Quadrupling energy efficiency
� Introduce carbon emission rights for everyone equal and just
� Exploitation of existing carbon-free technologies
� Raising awareness in the public and take a more scientific approach – not ideological approach-
� Radical change in philosophies and politics
� Emphasis on equality and justice