Laughing gas is biggest threat to ozone layer (Nitrous oxide)
Climate Change the Biggest Global Threat of the 21 Century · Climate Change the Biggest Global...
Transcript of Climate Change the Biggest Global Threat of the 21 Century · Climate Change the Biggest Global...
Climate Change –the Biggest Global Threat of the 21st Century
NHS sustainable development- 14th February 2012Professor Sue Atkinson CBE, Climate and Health Council
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Concentrations of greenhouse gasses
There is consensus from all major scientific bodies that global warming is occurring as a result of human activities.
MET Office:http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climatechangeNASA: http://www.giss.nasa.govThe Royal Society: http://royalsociety.org/Climate-ChangeThe Walker Institute: http://www.walker-institute.ac.ukThe Climatic Research Unit: http://www.cru.uea.ac.ukAustralian Bureau of Meterology: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/changeMeteo France: http://climat.meteofrance.com/chgt_climat2/chgt_climatiqueWorld Meterological Organization: http://www.wmo.int/pages/index_en.htmlIntergovernmentalPanel on Climate Change:http://www.ipcc.ch
Climate change affects health through direct and indirect mechanisms
• Extreme weather events-death/physical and mental illness/injury
• Global warming- vector borne/diarrhoea/infectious diseases
• Air pollution – respiratory and cardiovascular• Exposure to UV – skin cancer/sunburn/cataracts/• Increased temperatures and altered rainfall –
drought giving food and water shortage and malnutrition
Health effects cont.
• Displacement of populations-searching for food and water
• Food safety – food poisoning/algal blooms-shellfish/mercury levels in fish
• BUT-some possible benefits…..• Fewer cold related deaths• Possibly more hostile climate, then less vector
borne• BUT ….overwhelmingly negative effects
Co-benefits: what’s good for the climate is good for health
• Policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions could bring reductions in..
• Inequalities in health/heart disease/cancer/obesity/diabetes/osteoporosis/alzheimers/road deaths and injuries and urban air pollution
• Eg active transport - cycling and walking -reduces tailpipe pollution and improves physical and mental health
Co-benefits cont… and SAVINGS
• Eating less meat – less methane from cattle –and reduce heart disease/some cancers/obesity/diabetes/high blood pressure/stroke
• AND if Europe moved from 20% target reduction to 30% - savings of Euro3.3 –7.9bn or if illhealth included additional savings between Euro10 – 30bn/annum
Common Solutions
• Reduce local health impacts of fossil fuels• Foster clean energy• Foster social justice• Save lives ( and illness)• Save money• And protect the publics health
• Endorsed by COP 17 - Durban 2011
Climate and Health Council
• A network of health professionals acting to raise awareness of the serious health consequences of climate change and of the health benefits of more sustainable lifestyles
www.climateandhealth.org
5 things to do ..
• Keep warm - keep cool - keep well• One meat free day a week• Walk/cycle at least once a day• If you have to drive – drive slowly• Create safe green spaces