“Protecting health from climate change”

Presenters: Dr H. Danny Singh & Dr Shanthosh Priyan S

Moderator : Prof T. Gambhir Singh

Presentation format• Introduction• Problem statement• Climate change and global warming• Indicators of climate change• Causes of climate change• Greenhouse effect• Stratospheric ozone depletion• Climate change and ecosystem• Impact of climate change on health• Responses to climate change• Conclusion

Climate change is one of the most formidable

developmental challenges faced by humanity today

Its consequences are global and intergenerational

The global climate is now changing faster than at any

point of time in human civilisation

Climate change will affect, in profoundly adverse way,

some of the most fundamental determinants of health:

food, air and water, adequate shelter and freedom from

disease

Introduction

A recent report from the Lancet and University

College London Institute for Global Health

Commission labelled climate change as “…the biggest

global health threat of the 21st century”

Developing and poor countries would face the earliest

and most severe threats

The health risks posed by climate change are

significant, distributed throughout the globe, and

difficult to reverse (WHO)

Problem statement

Since the early 20th century, Earth's mean surface

temperature has increased by about 0.8 °C (1.4 °F),

with about two-thirds of the increase occurring since

1980

Developing Countries & Small Island Nations will

be the first & hardest hit by this phenomena

Each year, about 800,000 people die from causes

attributable to urban air pollution

Problem statement

About 2.2 million die from diarrhoea ( due to lack of

access to clean water supply and sanitation & from

poor hygiene)

3.5 million die from malnutrition

60, 000 die in natural disasters

Floods

Malaria

Diarrhea

Malnutrition

020406080100120 2 4 6 8 10

DALYs (millions)Deaths (thousands)

2000

2020

Estimated Death and DALYs Attributable to Climate Change

Climate change and Global warming:

Climate change refers to any distinct change in

measures of climate lasting for a long period of time

In other words, “climate change” means major

changes in temperature, rainfall, snow, or wind

patterns lasting for decades or longer

Global warming is an average increase in

temperatures near the Earth’s surface and in the

lowest layer of the atmosphere

Physical evidence for & examples of climatic change:

Global surface temperatures have risen by 1.3 degrees

Fahrenheit (ºF) over the last 100 years

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration (NOAA), seven of the eight warmest

years on record have occurred since 2001

The rate of warming across the globe over the last 50

years (0.24ºF per decade) is almost double the rate of

warming over the last 100 years (0.13ºF per decade)

FIGURE. Variations in Earth’s average surface temperature, over the past 20 000 years.

FIGURE. Global temperature record, since instrumental recording began in 1860, and projection for coming century, according to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change .

Change In Surface Temperature

The evidence of climate change extends well beyond increases in global surface temperatures. It also includes:

Changing precipitation patterns

Melting ice in the Arctic

Melting glaciers around the world

Increasing ocean temperatures

Rising sea level around the world

Acidification of the oceans due to elevated carbon dioxide in the

atmosphere

Responses by plants and animals, such as changing migration pattern

Melting of GlaciersAmong the most sensitive indicators of climate changeTheir size is determined by a mass balance between snow input & melt output

Decline in Arctic sea ice, both in extent and thickness, over the last several decades is further evidence for rapid climate change. Satellite observations show that Arctic sea ice is now declining at a rate of 11.5 percent per decade, relative to the 1979 to 2000 average.

Artic sea ice loss

1979

2012

Global sea level has risen at the average rate of 1.8mm/yr during 1961-2003, the rate has been faster during 1993-2003 (@3.1 mm/yr)

Sea level rise

Causes of climate change

Human causes includes burning fossil fuels, cutting

down forests, and developing land for farms, cities,

and roads

These activities all release greenhouse gases into the

atmosphere

Natural causes include changes in the Earth’s orbit,

the sun’s intensity, the circulation of the ocean and

the atmosphere, and volcanic activity

Greenhouse effect

Discovered by Joseph Fourier in 1824

The greenhouse effect is one of the Earth’s natural

processes

It helps to regulate the temperature of our planet

Without a natural greenhouse effect, the Earth’s

temperature would be 0ºF (-18ºC) instead of its

present 57ºF (14ºC)

05/01/2023

“Greenhouse effect” Green House Effect

• Sunlight brings energy to climate systems, most of it is absorbed by the oceans & land.• Heat radiates outwards from warmed surface of earth.• Some of the infrared rays is absorbed by green house gases.• Some of infrared rays further warms the earth.• Some of the infra red rays entered space

05/01/2023 20

Increasing greenhouse gases trap more heat

Higher concentration of CO2 & other green house gases trap more infrared rays in stratosphere. The additional heat further warms atmosphere & earth’s surface.

Earth’s Atmospheric Gases

Nitrogen (N2)

Oxygen (O2)

Water (H2O)

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Methane (CH4)

Non-Greenhouse

Gases99%

GreenhouseGases

1%

Anthropogenic greenhouse gases

• Burning of fossil fuels & deforestation lead to higher CO2 .• Livestock enteric fermentation & manure management, paddy  rice farming,

land use and wetland changes, & covered vented landfill emissions etc leading to higher CH4.

• CFCs in refrigeration systems, & halons in fire suppression systems• Agricultural activities, including the use of fertilizers, that lead to higher N2O.

Gas  Contribution (%)Water vapour 36 – 72%  

Carbon dioxide 9 – 26%Methane 4 – 9%  

Ozone 3 – 7% CFCs <1%

Annual Carbon EmissionsAnnual carbon emissionsAtmospheric CO2Atmospheric CO2 average

1955 1965 1975 1985 1995 20050

4

6

8

2

Year

Carb

on (1

09 met

ric to

ns)

Earth's annual carbon cycle

Human activities emit about 9 Gt of carbon each year. About 4 Gt of this human-contributed carbon remain in the atmosphere; 3 Gt are taken up by natural terrestrial processes, and another 2 Gt are removed by the ocean (Canadell et al. 2007).

Emissions Exceed Nature’s CO2 Drain

Source: National Research Council, 2011a

Source: IEA 2014; BP 2014

FIGURE: Layers of the Earth’s atmosphere

Stratospheric ozone depletion

Stratospheric ozone destruction is an essentially

separate process from greenhouse gas (GHG)

accumulation in the lower atmosphere

There are several important and interesting

connections between the two

First, several of the anthropogenic greenhouse gases

(e.g. CFCs and N2O) are also ozone depleting gases

Stratospheric ozone depletion

Second, tropospheric warming apparently induces

stratospheric cooling that exacerbates ozone

destruction

Third, depletion of stratospheric ozone and global

warming due to the build up of greenhouse gases

interact to alter UVR related effects on health

Ozone depletion in the stratosphere increases the

formation of photochemical smog

Climate Change and Ecosystems

Biodiversity:

Oceans: change in the habitat and food supplies for

many kinds of marine life—from plankton to polar

bears, coral bleaching etc

Forests: Longer periods of hot weather could stress

trees, and make them more susceptible to wildfires,

insect damage, and disease

Climate Change and Ecosystems

Habitat: Climate change will alter, and in some cases

destroy, certain types of habitats

Invasive Species: Some of the species that thrive in

the new climatic condition might be invasive and

could gradually drive out or even kill native species

Migrations and Life Cycle Events :

1°C 2°C 5°C4°C3°C

Sea level rise threatens major cities

Falling crop yields in many areas, particularly developing regions

Food

Water

Ecosystems

Risk of Abrupt and Major Irreversible Changes

0°C

Falling yields in many developed regions

Rising number of species face extinction

Increasing risk of dangerous feedbacks and abrupt, large-scale shifts in the climate system

Significant decreases in water availability in many areas, including Mediterranean and Southern Africa

Small mountain glaciers disappear – water supplies threatened in several areas

Extensive Damage to Coral Reefs

Extreme Weather Events

Rising intensity of storms, forest fires, droughts, flooding and heat waves

Possible rising yields in some high latitude regions450 ppm CO2 eq

650 ppm CO2 eq

Projected Impacts of GlobalTemperature Change

Climate Change & HealthFossil Fuel Use, Development & Population Growth (Increased Emission of green house gases )

Climate Change (Earth warming rapidly)

Serious Effects On The Environment

Fundamental determinants of health: Air, Water, Food, Shelter & Freedom From Disease.

Serious Effects On Human Lives And Health

Major health consequences of climate change

1) Agricultural sector extremely sensitive, rising temperatures & more frequent droughts and floods compromise food security Malnutrition

2) Frequent extreme weather events (storms and floods) Deaths & Injuries Outbreaks of diseases, such as Cholera.

3) Both scarcities & excess of water Diarrhoeal disease

4) Heat-waves , especially in urban “heat islands” directly increase morbidity & mortality, mainly in elderly people with cardiovascular or respiratory disease. Also increase in ground-level ozone and hasten the onset of the pollen season Asthma attacks

5) Changing temperatures & patterns of rainfall alter the geographical distribution of insect vectors Vector borne diseases (Malaria and dengue are of greatest public health concern.)

Potential Climate Change Health Effects

• Heat-Related & Extreme events related Morbidity and Mortality

• Asthma, Respiratory Allergies, and Airway Diseases• Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke• Vectorborne and Zoonotic Diseases• Foodborne Diseases and Nutrition• Waterborne Diseases• Human development• Mental Health &Neurological Diseases and Disorders• Cancer

Heat & extreme weather -Related Morbidity and

Mortality• Heat waves, or extreme heat events, are characterized by

several days of temperatures greater than 90° F; warm, stagnant air masses; and consecutive nights with higher–than-usual minimum temperatures.

• Account for more deaths annually than hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes combined in the US

• Extreme weather events, sea-level rise, destruction of local economies, resource scarcity, and associated conflict due to climate change are predicted to displace millions of people worldwide. (200 million people worldwide by 2050)

Respiratory DiseasesAir quality affected through several pathways

– increases in regional ambient concentrations of ozone, PM2.5s fine particles, & dust.

– Increase production & allergenicity of aeroallergens (pollen mold & spores)

Aeroallergens act with other harmful air pollution worsen respiratory disease (Allergic rhinitis asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease )

Ozone causes direct, reversible lung injury; increases premature mortality; worsens respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); and may cause lasting lung damage.

PM2.5s are associated with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, including asthma, COPD, and cardiac dysrhythmias

Global rise in asthma is an early health effect of climate change

Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke Dysrhythmias are primarily associated with extreme cold as

well as heat Stroke incidence increases with increasing temperature  Ozone are also associated with acute myocardial infarction Particulate matter associated with systemic inflammation,

deranged coagulation , thrombosis, blood vessel dysfunction atherosclerotic disease, compromised heart function, deep venous thromboses, & pulmonary embolism

Increased burden of PM2.5 is associated with increased hospital admissions and mortality from cardiovascular disease, as well as ischemic heart disease

Elderly and isolated individuals are at greatest risk

Vector-borne and Zoonotic Diseases

Distribution of vectors will change arising from: Increasing temperature Changing rainfall Cyclones, flooding Changes in animal host/reservoir populations Rising sea levels Malaria and dengue fever to re-emerge.Introduction & spread of new agents, such as West Nile virus.Some VBZD agents like Lyme disease & Hantavirus, which show evidence of seasonality & the range of these diseases could change with a changing climate

Food borne diseases

Increased occurrence of  Vibrio infection, especially seafood-borne disease associated with V. vulnificus & V. parahaemolyticus

Ocean acidification also lead to more virulent strains of existing pathogens & emergence of new pathogens

Drought encourage crop pests such as aphids, locusts, and whiteflies, as well as the spread of the mould Aspergillus flavus & thereby exacerbate malnutrition, poverty, and the need for human migration

Greater use of herbicides, fungicides, & insecticides, resulting in potential immediate hazards to farm workers

Waterborne disease

Increased risk from the:a) Concentration of nutrient and chemical contaminants b) Formation of toxic algal bloomc) Surface water contamination with human waste d) Changes in ocean and coastal ecosystemse) Changes in ph, salinity f) Contaminant runoff, leaching of arsenic, fluoride,

and nitrates from fertilizers & lead contamination g) Water security.

Severe outbreaks of cholera.

Human development• Environment can be a potent modifier of normal development

and behaviour

• Many of the chemicals that we use to control pests and improve crop yields can impact human development

• About 3% of all children born in the United States have a birth defect, some of which can be attributed to environmental causes (CDC)

• Environmental effects on development include subtle changes such as small reductions in IQ from exposure to lead, changes in onset of puberty from exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals, birth defects such as cleft palate due to dioxin-like compounds, and fetal loss through exposure-related spontaneous abortion

Mental Health

– Anxiety and depression

– Post traumatic stress disorder, Insecurity

– Grief

– Stress, self harm and possible suicide

– Loss of social cohesion

– Solastalgia

– Specific impacts on children, women and elderly

Neurological diseases

Exposure to neurotoxins (eg. domoic acid ) in seafood, fresh & marine waters, pesticides & herbicide effects & heavy metals leads to onset and exacerbation

Amnesia Numbness Neurological deficits Learning disabilities Liver damage Skin and eye irritation Respiratory paralysis PD- and AD-like symptoms Epilepsy

Cancers Leaching of toxic chemicals and heavy metals from

storage sites & contamination of water with

chemicals.

Depletion of stratospheric ozone resulting in

increased UV radiation exposure increased risk of

skin cancers (BCC & SCC) & cataracts.

 Increased UV radiation with certain polycyclic

aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) phototoxicity &

DNA damage.

Vulnerability, Adaptation and Mitigation

Responses to climate change

• Vulnerability: In the literature of climate change, vulnerability is

defined as the combined measure of threats to a particular system.

• Vulnerability is the degree to which a system is susceptible to or

unable to cope with the adverse effects of climate change,

including climate variability and extremes

• Adaptation ability of a system to adjust to climate change in order

to reduce its vulnerability, and enhance the resilience to observed

and anticipated impacts of climate change

• Mitigation looks at limiting climate change by reducing the

emissions of GHGs (greenhouse gases)

Human responses to climate change

Vulnerability

• Vulnerability is a function of the character, magnitude and

rate of climate variation to which a system is exposed; its

sensitivity; and adaptive capacity (IPCC, 2001)• Mathematically,

Vulnerability = f (Exposure, Sensitivity, Adaptive Capacity)

• In other words, the greater the exposure or sensitivity, the

greater is the vulnerability.

• However, adaptive capacity is inversely related to

vulnerability. So, the greater the adaptive capacity, the

lesser is the vulnerability.

MITIGATION

"Mitigation is a public good; climate change is a case of ‘the tragedy of the commons’

Mitigation

• Efforts to reduce or prevent emission of greenhouse gases

• Using new technologies and renewable energies, making older

equipment more energy efficient, or changing management

practices or consumer behavior

• Protecting natural carbon sinks like forests and oceans, or

creating new sinks through green agriculture are also elements

of mitigation

• Multifaceted approach which includes energy, transport,

buildings, industry, agriculture, forestry, waste management etc

KYOTO PROTOCOL

• The Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), aimed at fighting global warming

GOAL: • “Stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in

the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system”

• The Protocol was initially adopted on 11 December 1997 in Kyoto, Japan, and entered into force on 16 February 2005

• As of September 2011, 191 states have signed and ratified the protocol

Brown = Countries that have signed and ratified the treaty             (Annex I & II countries in dark brown)Blue = No intention to ratify at this stage.Dark blue = Canada, which withdrew from the Protocol in December 2011.Grey = no position taken or position unknown

Participation in Kyoto Protocol as of 2011

TARGETS:

Total: reduce emissions to 5.2% below 1990 levels during

“commitment period” 2008-2012

(most countries need -18% reduction in BAU by 2008)

37 industrialized nations and the EU subject to binding

emissions targets

Greenhouse gases: CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, and SF6

PENALTY:

Non-compliant countries will have to reduce emissions

by 1.3 units for

every unit of emissions “overshoot” in subsequent

commitment period.

Ex: if your emissions target is 7Gtons per year by 2012,

and you end up at 10Gtons/yr, in the next commitment

period (2013-2020) you will have to reduce by 4Gtons/yr

(in addition to any new targets) to be compliant

Three primary mechanisms1. Emissions trading

- trade carbon units between Annex 1 countries (flow is from

countries with carbon credits to countries with carbon

overshoots)

- example: Europe’s Emissions Trading System (ETS),

National Allocation Plans

2. Joint Implementation

- Annex 1 countries can invest in a emissions-reduction project

in another Annex 1 country and receive emissions reduction

units (ERU)

3. Clean Development Mechanism- Annex 1 countries receive ERUs for emissions reductions in developing countries- must certify reductions (they would not have happened without action by Annex 1)

Annex 1 Country e.g. J apan

Non-Annex 1 Country e.g. Thailand

I nvestment

Revenues

CERs (negotiated)

PROS:- For countries that are ultra-efficient, Kyoto would be cost

prohibitive. Such countries can ‘buy their way out’ by buying carbon credits from other countries

- Developing countries have incentive to reduce emissions by selling carbon credits

Recent Advances in Kyoto Protocol

• May 2011: Russia, Japan and Canada told the G8 they would not join a second round of carbon cuts under the Kyoto Protocol at United Nations talks and the US reiterated it would remain outside the treaty. They argued that the Kyoto format did not require developing countries, including China, the world’s No. 1 carbon emitter, to make targeted emission cuts

• Aug 2011: The European Union, the major developing countries, and most African and Pacific island nations declared that they would like to see the Kyoto process extended as a prelude to a more ambitious, binding international agreement that would take effect by 2020

United Nations Climate Change Conference-Durban, 2011(1/2)

• A primary focus of the conference was to secure a global climate

agreement as the Kyoto Protocol's first commitment period

(2008–2012) was about to end

• Also expected to focus on finalising at least some of the Cancun

Agreements such as co-operation on clean technology, as well as

forest protection, adaptation to climate impacts, etc

• Canada's environment minister Peter Kent announced his

country's withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol

• The terms of the future treaty are to be defined by 2015 and become effective in 2020

• The agreement, referred to as the "Durban platform" includes developing countries such as China and India, as well as the US which refused to sign the Kyoto Protocol

• Green fund : The conference led to progress regarding the creation of a Green Climate Fund for which a management framework was adopted. The fund is to distribute US$100bn per year to help poor countries adapt to climate impact

India and Kyoto Protocol

• India will not sign any legally binding global agreement for emission reduction as the country needs to eradicate poverty through economic growth

• India argues that since the CO2 in the atmosphere is from developed countries it is their responsibility to cut down the emissions. However India will make all efforts to cut down on green house gas emissions but that would be voluntary

• India being a developing country is still not stable enough to take up global warming as the emission cuts will slow down its development and cripple it economically

Enter REDD: Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest DegradationFact: 18% anthropogenic emissions comes from forest destructionIdea: Developed countries will pay for developing countries

not to destroy rainforest

REDDplus

BUILDING RESILIENCE AGAINST CLIMATE EFFECTS (BRACE)

• BRACE framework is a five-step process that allows health officials to develop strategies and programs to help communities prepare for the health effects of climate change

• Part of this effort involves incorporating complex atmospheric data and both short and long range climate projections into public health planning and response activities

• Combining atmospheric data and projections with epidemiologic analysis allows health officials to more effectively anticipate, prepare for, and respond to a range of climate sensitive health impacts

1. Forecasting Climate Impacts and Assessing Vulnerabilities

2. Projecting the Disease Burden

3. Assessing Public Health Interventions

4. Developing and Implementing a

Climate and Health Adaptation

Plan

5. Evaluating Impact and

Improving Quality of Activities

BRACE

Climate and Health Program, National Center for Environmental Health

Climate change mitigation in India

Mitigation and adaptation information network (MAIN) for

sustainable communities:

• OBJECTIVE: To bring together expertise, knowledge

and local experiences in a common network that

empowers communities across the globe to create, share,

use and store knowledge to support sustainable living

• Provides insights on Clean Development Mechanism

(CDM) as an important mechanism for funding

mitigation efforts

Government of India's Response

• Renewable resources will help India in mitigating

climate change, through reduction in dependence on

power generation by coal and mineral oil based power

plants, which contribute heavily to greenhouse gas

emissions

• Renewable energy sector is expected to contribute nearly

six times its existing emission reduction capability in

future

National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) :

• Launched in 2008

• Outlines policies directed at mitigation and adaptation to

climate change

• The implementation of the NAPCC is designed to take

place through eight National Missions:

1. Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission

2. National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency

3. National Mission on Sustainable Habitat

4. National Water Mission

5. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture

6. National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan

Ecosystem

7. National Mission for a Green India

8. National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate

Change

1. National Clean Energy Fund

2. State Action Plan on Climate Change

3. NABARD

4. Auto Fuel Vision and Policy 2025

5. Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment

6. Expert Group on Low Carbon Strategies for Inclusive

Growth

7. Bilateral Cooperation on Environment and Clean

Technology

Other National and Sub National Initiatives:

Adaptation

• Adaptation: Coping with climatic change – taking

measures to reduce the negative effects, or exploit

the positive ones, by making appropriate

adjustments.

• It depends on coping range, resilience range, and

failure range

Fig: severity of an event with and without Adaptation

Stages of Adaptation

• Primary – prevent onset of health impact

• Secondary – preventative measures taken in response to early evidence of impact

• Tertiary – actions to lessen the health effects

Extreme rainfall and flooding Prevent/reduce

floodingOverflow of waste from septic tanks into flood waters

Prevent/reduce

overflow of waste Human contact with flood water Avoid human contact

with water

Gastro intestinal diseases Correct medical

treatment

DE

CR

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SIN

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Options for Adaptations to Reduce the Health Impacts of Climate Change

Health Outcome

Legislative Technical Educational-advisory

Cultural & Behavioral

Thermal stress Building guidelines

Housing, public buildings, urban planning, air conditioning

Early warning systems

Clothing, siesta

Extreme weather events

Planning laws, economic incentives for building

Urban planning, storm shelters

Early warning systems

Use of storm shelters

Vector-borne diseases

Vector control, vaccination, impregnated bed nets, sustainable surveillance, prevention & control programmes

Health education Water storage practices

Water-borne diseases

Watershed protection laws, water quality regulation

Screening for pathogens, improved water treatment & sanitation

Boil water alerts Washing hands and other behavior, use of pit latrines

• Stop deforestation/plant forests• Replace regular bulbs with compact fluorescent light

(CFL) • Produce more fuel-efficient vehicles & Reduce vehicle use• Recycle more • Improve energy-efficiency in buildings• Develop carbon capture and storage processes• Triple nuclear power• Increase solar power• Improve soil carbon management strategies

Adaptive Options to reduce Global warming

Financial resources• Improving means and accessibility to the adaptation financing

–improved livelihoods

• Need to generate significant financial and technological support to enable meaningful action by developing countries.

• The Global Environmental Facility (GEF) funding is not enough

• Current carbon market is insufficient and doesn’t guarantee geographical distribution

• UNFCCC report (2007) indicates that Investment and financial flows needed for adaptation globally are likely to be tens of billions of dollars per year several decades from now

History of climate change negotiations• 1972: United Nations Conference on Environment,

Stockholm, United Nation Environment Program (UNEP) formed.

• 1974: UN World Food Conference, Rome, which recognized the central role of climate in world food production

• 1976: the UN World Water Conference in Mar Del Plata, Argentina

• 1979: In response to extreme climatic events, UNEP, FAO, UNESCO and WHO convened the First World Climate Conference (FWCC) in Geneva.

• 1987: Montreal Protocol on restricting chemicals that damage the ozone layer.

• 1988: Formation of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) jointly by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

• 1992: Rio Earth Summit held. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is opened for signature. – Developed countries accept responsibility for the

overwhelming majority of emissions and "aim to stabilize" those emissions at 1990 levels by the year 2000.

– Countries obliged to report emission. Voluntary in nature. Focus on mitigation.

• 1994: UNFCC enters into force.

• 1995: first Conference of the Parties (COP 1) takes place

in Berlin – The first Conference of the Parties, made up of signatories to

the UNFCCC, acknowledges that the UNFCCC is inadequate

without country-specific commitments

– It agreed to negotiate emission reduction targets for

industrialized countries

• 1996: COP 2 held in Geneva

• 1997: COP 3 held in Kyoto. Also know as The Kyoto

Protocol

– The Kyoto protocol agreement included "flexibility”

mechanisms. Focus on mitigation.

– "flexibility" mechanisms that would allow industrialized

nations to get credit for actions to reduce greenhouse gas

emissions in other countries.

• 1998: National Action Plan on Climate Change was

launched in India

• 2001: U.S. withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol

• 2009: COP 15, Copenhagen Accord drafted – G8 countries agreed that 2 degrees Celsius of average global

warming is a limit which should not be exceeded.

– To reach this goal, global greenhouse gas emissions should be

reduced by at least 50% by 2050 and emissions from

developed countries should be reduced by 80% or more.

• 2010: COP 16, Cancun Agreements drafted and largely

accepted

• 2011: COP 17, the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action

drafted and accepted

• 2014: The first part of the IPCC's fifth assessment report

says scientists are 95% certain that humans are the

"dominant cause" of global warming since the 1950s

• Green Climate Fund- $100 billions/ year by 2020;

developed countries commit this fund to invest in

mitigation, adaptation and technology • December 2015 – COP-21 in Paris

Conclusion

• Climate changes threaten to slow, halt or reverse the

progress that the global public health community is trying

to achieved.

• In the long run, however, the greatest health impacts may

not be from acute shocks such as natural disasters or

epidemics, but from the gradual build-up of pressure on the

natural, economic and social systems that sustain health.

• Ongoing climate change, coupled with globalisation, will

make it more difficult to contain infectious diseases

• A fair and effective response will require a sharing of

responsibilities between the populations that make the

greatest contribution to climate change and those that are

most vulnerable to its effects, in order to safeguard and

enhance global public health security.

• Critically important will be factors that directly shape the

health of populations such as education, health care,

public health prevention and infrastructure and economic

development

“Teach children the value of the earth. They are our future”

Than

k

you