Get documents about "MANAGING THE EffECTS Of GLOBAL WARMING ON WORLD HEALTH - PDF
Document Sample
CONNE C T M O D E L U N I T E D N AT I ON S 2 0 0 9
WO R LD HE A LT H O RG AN IZ ATION
TO PIC B B ACK GRO U N D E R
MANAGING THE EffECTS
Of GLOBAL WARMING ON
WORLD HEALTH
Prepared for: World Health Organization, Connect Model United Nations 2009
Director: Trina Sigalet
Chair: Pianpian Adelson
Crisis Director: Cecilia Wang
Backgrounder Written by Forson Chan
Introduction
The topic for discussion relates to how the detrimental effects of global
warming on human health can be mitigated through recommendations made
by the World Health Organization. Solutions should include the development
of new international policies, changes to current global regulations and
standards, and action by a collection of countries.
Global Warming and Climate Change
Global warming is the increase of
0.74°C in the world’s average surface
temperature over the past 100 years
(1906 - 2005)1. The United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC) defines climate
change as “a change of climate that is
attributed directly or indirectly to human
activity that alters the composition of
the global atmosphere and that is in
addition to natural climate variability
observed over comparable time periods.”2 For the purposes of ConnectMUN
2009, global warming and climate change are interchangeable terminology.
There is no debate that global warming is a direct cause of human activities
and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Among the scientific community and
C ONN ECT MODEL UN I T E D NAT I O NS 2 0 0 9 1
W O R L D HEALTH ORGAN I ZAT IO N - TO PIC B
in publicly available peer reviewed scientific literature, there is near absolute
consensus that humans are the primary cause, if not the only cause, of the
earth’s warming in the last century. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC) published the Climate Change 2007: Synthesis Report,
stating that “Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident
from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures,
widespread melting of snow and ice and rising global average sea level.3
C ONN ECT MODEL UN I T E D NAT I O NS 2 0 0 9 2
W O R L D HEALTH ORGAN I ZAT IO N - TO PIC B
The Connection between
Human Health and Climate Change
Continued climate change may increase the rates of malnutrition, the spreading
of certain diseases, the number deaths caused by extreme weather events,
and rates of cardio-respiratory complications due to higher concentrations of
ground-level ozone in urban areas. Some minor benefits of global warming,
such as fewer cold related deaths, are far outweighed by the negative health
consequences in developing countries. 4
Water, Nutrition, and Food Production
“Rising temperatures and variable precipitation are likely to decrease the
production of staple foods in many of the poorest regions, increasing risks of
malnutrition.” 5 Furthermore, precipitation patterns will change as a result of
climate change; traditional freshwater supplies and access may be compromised.
With potable water sources dwindling, people will be at greater risk of
developing water-borne diseases and diarrheal diseases.
Death by Extreme Weather Events
The number and intensity of heat waves in Europe are expected to increase;
consequently, the number of annual deaths due to heat waves is also expected to
increase. As glacial and land ice melts, sea levels will rise and increase the risk
of coastal flooding and population displacement. “Some of the most vulnerable
C ONN ECT MODEL UN I T E D NAT I O NS 2 0 0 9 3
W O R L D HEALTH ORGAN I ZAT IO N - TO PIC B
regions are the Nile delta in Egypt, the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta in
Bangladesh, and many small islands, such as the Maldives, the Marshall Islands
and Tuvalu.”6 More than 50% of the world’s populations now live within 60km
of the ocean; countries should investigate the consequences of sea level rises to
its citizens.
Diseases
Climate change will affect the spread of many different diseases. Most
alarmingly, it will lead to a large increase in the spread of insect born diseases
such as malaria and ensephalitis. This increase wil be particularly devastating
in Europe. Global warming will also allow bacteria, fungi and viruses to move
into new areas formerly protected by cold climates. Disease caused by these
pathogenes will afect all species from birds to humans. There have already been
many epidemics in the animal kingdome that would not have occurred if not
for global warming. For example, in Hawaii, there are few native birds surviving
below 4,500ft above sea level. Global warming allowed mosquitoes to carry
a form of avian malaria into areas of Hawaii were origionally mosquitoe free.
Since the birds in the area had no immunity to the disease, it was deadly.
Climate change is also contributing to the Mountain Pine Beetle infestations
plaguing North American forests. The mountain pine beetle populations are
usually kept under control by cold snaps and natural forest fires; however,
with increased temperatures in North America, the mountain pine beetle
populations are growing alarmingly quickly.
“Critically important will be factors that directly shape the health of
populations such as education, health care, public health initiatives, and
infrastructure and economic development. {WGII 8.3, SPM}”
C ONN ECT MODEL UN I T E D NAT I O NS 2 0 0 9 4
W O R L D HEALTH ORGAN I ZAT IO N - TO PIC B
C ONN ECT MODEL UN I T E D NAT I O NS 2 0 0 9 5
W O R L D HEALTH ORGAN I ZAT IO N - TO PIC B
Points to Consider
1. What recent scientific innovations have been made about plants and
alternative energies? How can these be incorporated into the solution?
2. How will changes in the environment affect the health of those living in the
Arctic? How can their problems be alleviated?
3. How can a country reduce its greenhouse gas emissions while balancing
economic development?
Resources
Assessment Reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
http://www.ipcc.ch/
Delegates are highly recommended to use this resource and browse its contents.
This webpage contains links to IPCC reports from 2007 to 2009 on climate
change. Included in these reports is information on how climate change impacts
humans, and how humans can adapt to these changes.
CIA World Fact book
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/
This website is useful for delegates to learn more about their countries and
the issues facing them. It contains information on the geography, people,
government, economy, transportation, and transnational issues of all countries
around the world.
Climate Change and Human Health [WHO]
http://www.who.int/globalchange/en/
The WHO page on human health and global climate change. One can
find previously proposed solutions and the problems certain countries will
experience
C ONN ECT MODEL UN I T E D NAT I O NS 2 0 0 9 6
W O R L D HEALTH ORGAN I ZAT IO N - TO PIC B
Bibliography
1
“Evidence is now ‘unequivocal’ that humans are causing global warming –
UN report.” UN News Center. UN News Services, 2 Feb. 2007. 16 Aug. 2009.
<http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=21429&Cr=climate&Cr1=c
hange>.
2
“Climate Change 2007: Synthesis Report.” International Panel on Climate
Change, 12-17 November 2007. 16 Aug. 2009. <http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/
assessment-report/ar4/syr/ar4_syr.pdf>.
3
Ibid.
4
Ibid.
5
Ibid.
6
Climate Change and Human Health. World Health Organization, July
2005. Web. 19 Aug. 2009. <http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs266/
en/>.
7
Ibid.
8
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/372219.stm
C ONN ECT MODEL UN I T E D NAT I O NS 2 0 0 9 7
W O R L D HEALTH ORGAN I ZAT IO N - TO PIC B
Related docs
Other docs by xgx23905
