earth forum 2003 Aron

Small Island Developing States: Climate and Health Effects: 

Small Island Developing States: Climate and Health Effects Joan L. Aron, Ph.D. Earth Technologies Forum Washington, DC April 22-24, 2003

Alliance of Small Island States: 

Alliance of Small Island States 'Perhaps when the human health costs are appreciated and added to the material costs and environmental damages faced by small island States a new spirit of cooperation and partnership will emerge.' His Excellency Tuiloma Neroni Slade Ambassador of Samoa to the United Nations Chairman, Alliance of Small Island States Barbados, May 21, 2002

Alliance of Small Island States: 

Alliance of Small Island States AOSIS: Coalition of small island and low-lying coastal countries Africa, Caribbean, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, Pacific, South China Sea Issues of environment and development Vulnerability to the adverse effects of global climate change SEA LEVEL RISE CHANGES IN RAINFALL REGIMES

Small Island Developing States Factors increasing vulnerability: 

Small Island Developing States Factors increasing vulnerability Small physical size Surrounded by large expanses of ocean Relative isolation Limited natural resources Growing populations Exposure to damaging natural disasters Low economic diversification Limited funds, human resources, skills

Global Climate ChangeSea level rise: 

Global Climate Change Sea level rise Displacement of coastal communities Disturbance of agricultural activity Coastal erosion, beach loss, decline in tourism Intrusion of sea water into freshwater aquifers

Multiple Time ScalesSea level rise: 

Multiple Time Scales Sea level rise Sea level rise (long time scale) Storm event (short time scale) Increased vulnerability to storm surges, coastal flooding

Global Climate ChangeThreat of sea level rise: 

Global Climate Change Threat of sea level rise

Hurricane Lenny Eastern Caribbean: 

Hurricane Lenny Eastern Caribbean

Global Climate ChangeChanges in rainfall regimes: 

Global Climate Change Changes in rainfall regimes Prospect of more frequent droughts and floods in tropical ocean regions in which small island states are located Water supply is a major concern Experience of small island states is a microcosm of the global picture International Year of Freshwater 2003

Water ResourcesGlobal issue: 

Water Resources Global issue International Year of Freshwater 2003

Multiple Time ScalesChanges in rainfall regimes: 

Multiple Time Scales Changes in rainfall regimes The El Niño/Southern Oscillation ( ENSO ) affects global weather patterns, cycling every two to seven years. Rainfall regimes shift. Floods or droughts Responses to ENSO help to reduce adverse impacts of climate on health.

ENSO 1997-1998Drought in Pacific Islands: 

ENSO 1997-1998 Drought in Pacific Islands

ENSO 1997-1998Drought in Pacific Islands: 

ENSO 1997-1998 Drought in Pacific Islands More skin disease in FSM, Marshalls Poor air quality from wildfires in Guam, Pohnpei, Yap, Palau Relief food shipments Information campaign reduced incidence of diarrheal disease in Pohnpei hospital Water storage and conservation Many diseases under study ( dengue, ... )

Regional InteractionsAfrican dust in the Caribbean: 

Regional Interactions African dust in the Caribbean

Regional InteractionsAfrican dust in the Caribbean: 

Regional Interactions African dust in the Caribbean African dust is transported in the atmosphere across the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean. Drought conditions in Africa have led to increasing amounts of dust over the past few decades. Ongoing studies probe the effects of dust on human health, coral reefs, agriculture and livestock.

Regional InteractionsRiver outflows from S. America: 

Regional Interactions River outflows from S. America

Regional InteractionsRiver outflows from S. America: 

Regional Interactions River outflows from S. America Massive kills of reef fish from Trinidad andamp; Tobago to Barbados - July to October 1999 Freshwater bacterium Streptococcus iniae isolated from dead and dying fish High rainfall in northern S. America in 1999 Large quantities of fresh water from Amazon and Orinoco river basins Lower salinities, higher temperatures, unusual reverse currents in the Caribbean

Climate and Small Island StatesPublic health response: 

Climate and Small Island States Public health response 'Ministries of Health should play a central role in this response -- but should also remember that finding enduring solutions will depend on inter-sectoral communication and convergence.' Professor Tony McMichael Director, National Centre of Epidemiology and Population Health Australian National University Barbados, May 21, 2002

Inter-Agency Network on Climate and Human Health: 

Inter-Agency Network on Climate and Human Health World Health Organization World Meteorological Organization United Nations Environment Programme and their regional offices

Inter-Agency Network Workshops in small island states: 

Inter-Agency Network Workshops in small island states Pacific Ocean: Apia, Samoa, 2000 WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific WMO Subregional Office for the South Pacific Caribbean Sea: St. Philip, Barbados, 2002 Pan American Health Organization Office of Caribbean Program Coordination UNEP Regional Office for Latin Amer. andamp; Carib. Indian Ocean: Maldives, 2003 ( planned ) WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia

Principal Partners in Caribbean Meeting on Barbados: 

Principal Partners in Caribbean Meeting on Barbados Barbados Ministries Health; Physical Development andamp; Environment Caribbean Organizations CPACC; CEHI; CAREC; CIMH U.S. Donors EPA; NOAA; NASA Canadian Donors Health; Environment

Caribbean Climate and Health WHO report: 

Caribbean Climate and Health WHO report

Small island statesNext steps in climate and health : 

Small island states Next steps in climate and health Recommendations from workshop participants for enhancing awareness, using data, and strengthening institutions Coordination of sharing of information and networking of regional organizations Maldives workshop Guidelines for national vulnerability and adaptation assessments of health impacts of climate change

Sunset in Barbados: 

Sunset in Barbados