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| The Health Sector on the Front Lines |
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In the age of climate change, the health sector finds itself on the front lines, confronting and adapting to a changing landscape and shifting burden of disease. By working to reduce carbon pollution in the atmosphere, while developing forward looking adaptation strategies, we can protect human health, saving lives and money. Indeed, the health sector can play a leadership role in developing and modeling climate solutions for the rest of society. |
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| Reports & Publications |
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Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Agenda is a document that sets out to support existing efforts around the world to promote greater sustainability and environmental health in the health sector, and thereby to strengthen health systems globally.
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| Notice: The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of Health Care Without Harm concerning the legal, social, economic status of any country, territory, city of area or of its authorities. The published material is being distributed without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. The responsibility for the interpretation and use of the material lies with the reader. Online articles and links might expire days after their release date. |
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| Global: Inaction on Climate Change a Leading Cause of Deaths |
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| source Climate and Health Alliance |
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A failure to act on climate change is costing the global economy $1.2 trillion annually and is
responsible for 400,000 deaths each year, a new report commissioned by 20 governments has
found.
The DARA 2012 Climate Vulnerability Monitor report entitled Cold Calculus for a Hot Planet said
a continued pattern of the world's current carbon intensive energy use would cause 6 million
deaths a year by 2030, with 700,000 of these attributable to climate change; with the remainder
directly related to the harm caused by carbon intensive economies. more |
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| Argentina: Climate Change Causes Severe Ocular Allergies
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| source Diario Uno |
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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), climate change has worsened ocular allergies and ocular itchiness since it produces a more highly allergenic pollen. Zaldivar Eye Institute in Mendoza, Argentina states ocular allergies are now affecting 30% of the local adolescent population. Knowing well the symptoms helps diagnose the disease and to avoid more serious consequences in this age group. more (in spanish) |
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| Indonesia: Map Drawn on Climate-related Diseases
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| source Jakarta Post |
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| The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) researchers in Indonesia are undertaking a study to gauge the effects of climate-related natural disasters upon human health. The BMKG's head of climate change and air quality, Budi Suhardi, said that the results from the study would be presented as a map designed to help prepare for the emergency response needed to avoid climate-disaster related health risks. The BMKG aims to start the project in Bali, East Java, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Lampung, South Kalimantan, South Sulawesi and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). more |
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| UK: Hunger May Be Largest Health Impact of Climate Change
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| source Alert net |
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"No one will ever die with a death certificate saying they died of climate change,” so assessing the number of climate-linked deaths will be difficult, epidemiologist Kris Ebi warned during a recent World Health Organization (WHO) briefing on adapting health systems to climate shifts. Ebi is the lead author of the human health section of the 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report. Malnutrition is likely to be the most serious health threat linked to climate shifts in the coming decades, as farmers struggle to cope with more unpredictable weather, a top health expert has said.
Malnutrition is already an underlying cause of about half of 9 million annual child deaths. more |
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| UK: Climate Change Will Extend Hay Fever Season by Six Weeks, Report Warns
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| source The Guardian |
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Hay fever sufferers face longer pollen seasons and highly allergenic new strains from invasive plants, a new report on the health effects of climate change on the UK warned. The report,from the Health Protection Agency (HPA), analyses a wide range of risks including killer heat waves, increased flooding, greater incidence rates of food poisoning and new infectious diseases carried by mosquitoes. "There is no doubt that climate change poses a wide range of challenges to public health in the UK," said David Heymann, chairman of the HPA. Furthermore, action to cut the carbon emissions driving climate change could have beneficial health effects, the report notes, by cutting the air pollution caused by burning fossil fuels, reducing meat consumption through low-carbon vegetarian diets and increasing the exercise people take by encouraging cycling and walking over driving. here |
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| US: West Nile Virus Worsening With Climate Change
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| source PBS |
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Outbreaks of the sometimes-fatal West Nile virus across the United States have intensified, making this one of the worst years ever for the mosquito-borne disease. According to experts, the virus is just one more disaster with an all too familiar culprit - global warming.
Warming weather patterns and increased rainfall in parts of the U.S. are partially responsible for the recent uptick in West Nile virus cases, and both of those conditions are expected to accelerate with climate change. more |
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