Post on 12-Jan-2016
description
Health impacts of climate change – lessons from WA
Dianne Katscherian
Contents
Climate Change in Western Australia Climate Change and Health Department of Health activities Other Health sector activities in WA Where are we now? Some lessons learned
Climate Change in Western Australia
SW WA has experienced reduced rainfall since the 1970s (10 – 20% decrease)
Significant impacts on stream flow, water availability and soil moisture
More intense storm events in SW NW experiencing more severe
cyclones extending further south and inland
Gradual increase in average temperatures
Climate Change in Western Australia
Decreases in rainfall in the south-west since the 70s
150
200
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350
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1925 1935 1945 1955 1965 1975 1985 1995 2005
Year
mm
1925-1975 average: 323 mm
1976-2003 average: 276 mm
Climate Change in Western Australia
The Indian Ocean Climate Initiative (IOCI) was established by the WA Government in 1998.
IOCI is a research partnership between the WA State Government, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation CSIRO) and Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).
The research program aims were to investigate the causes of the changing climate and develop projections of future climate in WA
4 stages to the program: Baseline and predictability of WA climate and attribution of
climate change Current and future climate of the North west including
extreme events Very-high resolution climate change projections for the
South west Science leadership and support (current projects)
Climate Change in Western Australia The IOCI research program projected (yearly
averages) that for south-west WA: by 2030, rainfall will decrease by two to 20
per cent; by 2030, summer temperatures will
increase by 0.5 to 2.1°C; by 2030, winter temperatures will increase
by 0.5 to 2.0°C; by 2070, rainfall will decrease by five to 60
per cent; by 2070, summer temperatures will
increase by 1.0 to 6.5°C; and by 2070, winter temperatures will increase by 1.0 to 5.5°C.
Sea level rises are also significant (up ~8mm since 1980s)
The changes have obvious implications for people and their activities
The first publication, WA Greenhouse Strategy (GHS) was finalised in 2004
Committed Government and agencies to respond to measures to address both mitigation and adaptation in WA
Climate Change Unit established within the Department of Environment and Conservation responsible for advising Government on government responses to climate change and climate change policy
Formation of the Climate Change Policy Interdepartmental Steering Group (CCPISG) with representatives from all Government agencies
WA’s action on Climate Change
Climate Change and Health
There are many complex interactions associated with potential environmental changes/impacts and human health
World Health Organisation (WHO) 2005 (online) http://www.who.int/globalchange/climate/en/index.html
Climate change and Health
Climate Change has potential to have significant impacts to health (+ve and -ve)
Key elements related to: Location of people (work and social
environments) Potential environmental changes (arising from
changes to climatic conditions) Interaction with the environment (direct
impacts) Indirect impacts from existing and future
activities and events
Climate Change and Health
Patz, J.A. et al. The potential health impacts of climate variability and change for the United States: executive summary of the report of the health sector of the U.S. National Assessment. Environ Health Perspect,108(4): 367-76 (2000).
The GHS committed WA Health to assess impacts of climate change on population of WA
Undertook Health Impact Assessment of climate change in collaboration with the WHO Centre for Environmental and Health Impact Assessment at Curtin University
Used scenario of probable circumstances in 2030
Department of Health and Climate Change
Climate Projections for WA Climate data from IPCC, CSIRO and IOCI2030 as a starting point for health impact
Expected average temperature increases of 0.50C to 2.00C Increases in the number of days over 350C in:
South West of +1 to + 20 days (now 27 in Perth) North West of +10 to +90 days (now 54 in Broome and156 in Halls
Creek) Rainfall changes in:
South-West of 2 to 20% reduction in annual rainfall with a 17% reduction in winter rain days and catchment runoff decreases of 5 to 40%
North-West of annual rainfall decreases of 1.5 to 3.5% Sea-Level increases of 3 to 17 cm by 2030 and 25 to 75 cm by
2100 For Extreme Weather Events the following are generally
accepted: Heatwaves – more per year Droughts – more frequent and severe Bushfires – increased risk Flooding – increased intensity Storms – increased intensity Tropical Cyclones – increased intensity
The Health Impact Assessment Process
Health Impact Assessment, like other forms of impact assessment, is a formalised collaborative process used to consider potential impacts (positive and negative) from activities during their planning stages
The Process follows the format of: Screening Scoping Profiling Risk Assessment Risk Management Decision Making Evaluation
Vulnerability
Vulnerability considered population groups and interactions of people with regions, infrastructure and ecosystems.
People potentially at greater risk of harm from climate change include: The old, especially >65 years The young, especially <2 years The pregnant and breastfeeding The obese Those who are not acclimatized e.g. new arrivals Those who have underlying medical conditions, especially
cardiovascular disease People living in higher risk environments Manual labourers, outdoor workers, outdoor recreation
participants
Health impacts identified:
The impacts from environmental changes include: Health impacts of extreme events Health impacts of temperature related
events Air Quality Health Impacts Food-borne diseases Health Impacts from Food Production Social/Community/Lifestyle Impacts Vector-borne diseases Water-borne diseases
Department of Health and Climate Change
Participation by stakeholders from across Government, NGOs and industry
Three significant components: Identification of health impacts and
assessment of current coping capacity
Risk assessments Development of adaptive responses
that could provide Government with the basis for future decision making
Published results in Health Impact Assessment of Climate Change: Adaptation strategies for Western Australia
Department of Health and Climate Change
Important that WA Health engaged with climate change responses
Formation of the Health and Climate Change Steering Group (HCCSG) in February 2008 Chaired by Executive Director Public Health with
support from the Environmental Health Directorate 15 members with representation from all sectors
across WA Health
Role of the Steering Group
Provide leadership on climate change mitigation and adaptation across the WA Health sector
Support the development of policies Develop and implement appropriate
governance mechanisms Raise awareness Liaise with stakeholders Respond to new initiatives and strategies
Role of the Steering Group
These roles include consideration of:1. The implications of climate change on the WA
community
2. The ability of the Department to respond to emergencies associated with climate events
3. The preparedness of the health care system to care for people affected by climate events
4. The requirements of the health system to reduce its greenhouse emissions and environmental footprint
5. Responses to state and national policy on climate change
1. Implications of climate change to the WA community
Processes and adaptation strategies for: Assessment of specific sector
vulnerabilities Formulation of priorities and timetable for
action Collaboration in whole of Government
responses Heat strategy
Working with other sectors to consider social vulnerabilities including: FESA Agriculture and Food Fisheries
2. Ability of the Department to respond to emergencies associated with climate events
Disaster Preparedness and Management Unit (DPMU) set up in 2004
The Unit has been enhancing WA Health's capability, in terms of equipment, facilities and trained personnel since 2004.
Is important member of State Emergency Management Committee
Considers climate change as key component within planning activities
3. Preparedness of the health care system to care for people affected by climate events
Activities include: Identification of potential improvements
to existing practices Assessment of surge capacity:
“..a health care system’s ability to manage a sudden or rapidly progressive influx of patients within the currently available resources at a given point in time”.
Confident capable of dealing with large (>500 patient) incident.
Participation in activities to enhance the national capability to respond to disasters
4. The requirements of the WA Health to reduce its greenhouse emissions and environmental footprintReview of current WA Health practices revealed: Employs over 37 000 employees Annual budget of over $6.6 billion (2011) Accounted for 44% of the government’s
stationary energy use and spent over $25 million on energy (2006/2007)
One of the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases, with over 213,000 tonnes of CO2 emitted in (2006/2007)
Hospitals consumed over 1.3 mega litres of water in (2007) and
One of the biggest generators and disposers of single use waste (including single use non-recyclable wastes).
Enhancing Sustainability
Activities include: Proactive planning for future, for
example: New hospitals/facilities must meet
Green Star ratings Identification through reporting of
potential improvements to existing practices
Appointment of dedicated staff for Energy policy
Waste policy - reduction/reuse/recycling
Greenhouse gas emissions inventory and reporting
Enhancing Sustainability
Metropolitan travel and transport policy
Sustainable procurement policy Formation of Health Environment
Awareness (HEAT) teams in many facilities
Greening WA Health Intranet Sustainable September activities to:
Raise awareness about environmental, social and economic sustainability in action.
Other activities involving Health sector
Local Government: Health involved in raising awareness about
impacts and providing input to risk assessments
Many regional collaborations
National responses: NCCARF
Human Health management team (2 WA reps)
Raise awareness within resource sector of risks and co-benefits
Health cluster research project (7 in Aus) Input to National Adaptation Research Plan
Other activities involving WA Health sector
National enHealth and Dept Health and Aging
National Adaptation Action Plan AUSAID Pacific program
International Curtin University WHO Collaborating
Centre for EHIA WHO Climate Change and Health in
Pacific program UNFCCC V&A training (Africa, Middle
East and Latin America)
Where are we now?
Development of Business Case within WA Health for more FTEs to address sustainability
State Gov Policy Steering group working with Climate Change Unit to : Develop Climate Change Adaptation and
Mitigation Strategy Plan and implement next Science program
for IOCI Emphasis on partnerships/collaboration
in research projects with Gov Specific Project: Climatologies of heat
stress and fire danger indices for WA Undertake stock take of WA research
Lessons Learned Health is major element of all CC activities involving
people Climate change is exacerbating existing health issues
linked to environmental changes Those most vulnerable are also those least likely to be
able to respond Impacts from mitigation activities should also be
considered Governments should provide leadership in addressing
sustainability Climate change responses require whole of
Government involvement Assessments of impacts and development of adaptation
responses should be integrated
Thank You