Naslov
Climate Change - Health Impact, with reference to Croatia

Autori
Schneider, Daniel Rolph

Izvornik
World Ecology Report (1080-3092) XIX (2007), 2&3; 9-11

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, ostalo

Ključne riječi
climate change; health impact; croatia

Sažetak
It is evident that the process of global climate change has profound impact on the Earth's biosphere. Human societies have always been affected by nature's climatic cycles and there is no doubt that the recent changes in world climate will influence the health of humans as well as it already affects the ecosystems and species on which we depend. Climate instability is altering the patterns of disease and the quality of our air, food and water. Future increase in average temperatures entail an increase in the number of heat waves in summer and a decrease in the number of cold spells in winter. It can lead to the increase of mortality caused by heat waves. Above the certain temperature thresholds, which differ for various climatic conditions, the number of deaths rapidly increases. At the other hand, a future benefit of climate change may be a reduction in excess winter mortality, particularly that from the cardiovascular disease and asthma. Climate change stimulates the spread of diseases outside their natural seats. The expected warming will lead to an increase of some vector borne diseases. There is indication of the increased danger from the malaria in the coastal area of Croatia. The "tiger" mosquito which spreads from South-Eastern Asia and Oceania to other continents by trade and is a proved viral vector causing the fatal Dengue hemorrhagic fever, has been found for the first time in Croatia. The greater risk from leishmaniasis can be also expected. Warmer and wetter conditions as projected by climate scenarios may favor the spread of diseases borne by food or water, such as diarrhea and dysentery. A consequence of warmer summers and an extended vegetation season will be the rise in the number of people becoming sensitized to and affected by respiratory allergies: seasonal allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma caused by pollen from the trees, grasses and weeds. There are also indirect effects on the public health caused by the disturbance of natural and managed food-producing ecosystems, rising sea-levels and population displacement for reasons of physical hazard, land loss, economic disruption and civil strife, which will be evident in following decades. "The challenge of climate change presents grave risks and enormous opportunities, and the clean energy transition may be just the engine that takes us into a healthier, more productive, stable and sustainable future (Climate Change Futures, 2005)."

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Strojarstvo

Napomena
Publisher World Information Transfer is a Non- Governmental Organization in General Consultative Status with the United Nations.

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