Climate Change and Human Health: Risks and ResponsesAnthony J. McMichael World Health Organization, 2003 - 322 pages Over the ages, human societies have altered local ecosystems and modified regional climates. Today, the human influence has attained a global scale. This reflects the recent rapid increase in population size, energy consumption, intensity of land use, international trade and travel, and other human activities. These global changes have heightened awareness that the long-term good health of populations depends on the continued stability and functioning of the biosphere's ecological, physical, and socioeconomic systems. The world's climate system is an integral part of the complex of life-supporting processes. Climate and weather have always had a powerful impact on human health and well-being. But like other large natural systems, the global climate system is coming under pressure from human activities. Global climate change is, therefore, a newer challenge to ongoing efforts to protect human health. This volume seeks to describe the context and process of global climate change, its actual or likely impacts on health, and how human societies and their governments should respond, with particular focus on the health sector. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 38
Page ix
... activities " , most importantly the release of greenhouse gases from fossil fuels . Stresses on the climate system are already causing impacts on Earth's surface . These include not only rising surface temperatures , but also ...
... activities " , most importantly the release of greenhouse gases from fossil fuels . Stresses on the climate system are already causing impacts on Earth's surface . These include not only rising surface temperatures , but also ...
Page 1
... activities . By inadvertently increasing the concentration of energy - trapping gases in the lower atmosphere , human actions have begun to amplify Earth's natural green- house effect . The primary challenge facing the world community ...
... activities . By inadvertently increasing the concentration of energy - trapping gases in the lower atmosphere , human actions have begun to amplify Earth's natural green- house effect . The primary challenge facing the world community ...
Page 2
... activities " ( 3 ) . During the twentieth century , world average surface temperature increased by approximately 0.6 ° C ( Figure 1.1 ) . There were , of course , natural influences on world climate during this time . These include an ...
... activities " ( 3 ) . During the twentieth century , world average surface temperature increased by approximately 0.6 ° C ( Figure 1.1 ) . There were , of course , natural influences on world climate during this time . These include an ...
Page 5
... activities . Second , a coherent pattern of changes in simple physical and biological systems has become apparent across all continents — the retreat of glaciers , melting of sea ice , thawing of perma- frost , earlier egg - laying by ...
... activities . Second , a coherent pattern of changes in simple physical and biological systems has become apparent across all continents — the retreat of glaciers , melting of sea ice , thawing of perma- frost , earlier egg - laying by ...
Page 7
... activities and human population health ( 12 ) . Figure 1.4 illustrates ( in ) simplified fashion ) how part of this complex of interacting , large - scale environ- mental changes impinges on human health . Many of the pathways would of ...
... activities and human population health ( 12 ) . Figure 1.4 illustrates ( in ) simplified fashion ) how part of this complex of interacting , large - scale environ- mental changes impinges on human health . Many of the pathways would of ...
Common terms and phrases
adaptive capacity air pollution analysis areas associated atmosphere cause cholera climate system climate variability coral bleaching deaths decision-makers dengue dengue fever developing countries diarrhoeal disease disasters distribution drought ecological economic ecosystems effects of climate El Niño emissions ENSO environment Environmental Health epidemics Epidemiology estimates extreme floods future climate global climate change greenhouse gases health effects health impact assessment health outcomes heatwave human health impacts of climate important increase infectious diseases Intergovernmental Panel IPCC Journal Lyme disease malaria measures meteorological monitoring mortality mosquito National Niño outbreaks ozone depletion Panel on Climate pathogen potential precipitation predict projected public health radiation rainfall range rates region relationships response result seasonal skin cancer solar specific stakeholders stratospheric stratospheric ozone temperature Third Assessment Report tion transmission trends tropical uncertainty UVR exposure variation vector vector-borne diseases vitamin D vulnerability weather World Health Organization