Global Climate Change and Human Health

JAY LEMERY, MD, is Professor of Emergency Medicine and co-Director of the Climate & Health Program at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and faculty in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the Colorado School of Public Health. He is the Medical Director for the National Science Foundation’s Polar Research Program and a past-President of the Wilderness Medical Society. KIM KNOWLTON, DrPH, MS, is Assistant Professor of Environmental Health Sciences at the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University; and senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council in New York. She served as co-convening lead author for the human health chapter of the U.S. Third National Climate Assessment; as a member of the 2nd and 4th New York City Panel on Climate Change; and participated in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s 2007 Fourth and 2013 Fifth Assessment Reports. She is a health scientist specializing in the human health impacts of climate change, particularly air pollution and extreme heat. CECILIA SORENSEN, MD, is an Emergency Medicine physician-investigator in the area of climate change and health at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and the University of Colorado School of Public Health. She has a broad range of expertise at the intersection of human health, environmental health and social justice. Her recent work has spanned domestic as well as international emergent health issues related to climate change.

Contents 

Dedication 
Preface 
Foreward: Climate Change and the Pandemic
Acknoledgements 
The Editors 
The Contributors 


Commentary on COVID-19, Climate Change, and Human Health...xxi
Jay Lemery, Kim Knowlton, Cecilia Sorensen, and Hanna Lindstadt 


Chapter 1  Primer on Climate Science...1
Christopher K. Uejio, James D. Tamerius, Yoonjung Ahn, and Elaina Gonsoroski 

Scientific Consensus
Weather, Climate Variability, Climate Change and Scientific Theory
Energy Balance
Evidence of a Changing Climate 
Projected Future Climate Changes 
Acknowledgement 
References 


Chapter 2  Climate Related Disasters: The Role of Prevention for Managing Health Risk...25
Mark E Keim

Introduction 
Global Trends
Public Health Impact of Climate-Related Disasters, in General 
Public Health Impact of Climate-Related Disasters, According to Hazard
Managing the Health Risk of Climate-Related Disasters
Summary 
References 


Chapter 3  Health Impacts of Extreme Heat...47 
Xiangmei (May) Wu and Rupa Basu 

Introduction
Heat-Triggered Health Effects
Factors Influencing Health Effects of Heat Exposure 
Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience 
Summary 
References 


Chapter 4  Climate Change Impacts on the Hydrologic Cycle and Waterborne Diseases...67
Jan C. Semenza 

Changes in Hydrology Caused by Climate Change 
Waterborne Pathogens Sensitive to Climate Change 
Adaptation Strategies 
Summary 
Acknowledgment 
Online Resources 
References 


Chapter 5  Degraded Air Quality...93
Kim Knowlton an Vijay S. Limaye 

Climate Change and Air Quality 
Air Pollutants Affected by Climate Change 
Wildfires 
Drought 
Coccidiomycosis and Respiratory Health 
Mold and Fungi 
Air Pollution- Vulnerable Populations 
Future Projections of Climate Change Effects on Air Pollution
Mitigation: Health Benefits of Reducing Carbon Pollution and Assoicated Co-Pollutant Air Pollution
Adaptation: Climate Health Preparedness and Reducing Air Pollution Vulnerability 
Conclusion
Online Resources
References 


Chapter 6  Potential Risks from Cyanobacterial and Algal Blooms...115
J.S Metcalf and N.R. Souza 

Introduction 
Toxic Producing Groups of Algae 
Effects of Cyanobacterial and Algal Toxins 
How Will Climate Change Affect Algal and Cyanobacterial Blooms and Toxins? 
Long-Term Solutions and Remediation 
Emerging Questions and Conclusions 
References 


Chapter 7  Climate Change, Carbon Dioxide, and Public Health: The Plant Biology Perspective...131
Lewis H. Ziska and Kristie L. Ebi 

Introduction 
Direct Consequences 
Indirect Consequences 
Conclusion 
References 


Chapter 8  Climate and Its Impact on Vector-Borne Diseases...151
Andrea G. Buchwald, Jada F. Garofalo, Kenneth L. Gage, Charles B. Beard, and Rosemary Rochford

Arboviruses
Malaria
Lyme Disease in the United States
Summary and Conclusions
References 


Chapter 9  Food Systems Transformation: Toward Sustainable and Healthy Diets for All...171
Cristina Tirado 

Impacts of Climate Change and Variability on Food Security and Malnutrition 
Vulnerability to Climate Impacts on Food Insecurity and Malnutrition 
Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases and Emerging Risks 
Integrated Multisectoral Adapation for Malnutrition
Sustainable and Healthy Food Systems and Dietary Patterns 
Conclusions
References 


Chapter 10  Climate Change and Population Mental Health...187 
Salma M. Abdalla, Abdulrahman M. El-Sayed, and Sandro Galea 

Overview 
Climate Change Effect on Mental Health: Mechanisms 
High Ambient Temperature and Heatwaves
Natural Disasters 
Forced Migration 
Economics, Geopolitics, and Violent Conflict 
Phsyical Health 
A Disproportionate Burden 
Common Causes of Climate Change and Mental Health
Conclusion 
References 


Chapter 11  Worker Health...203
Miranda Dally and Lee S. Newman 

Introduction 
Hazards
Migrant Workers and Climate Change 
Adaptation and Response 
Worker, Family, and Societal Burden 
Conclusions
References 


Chapter 12  Women's Health and Climate Change: The Impact of Gender...223
Tracy A. Cushing and Cecilia J. Sorensen 

Introduction
Direct Health Impacts of Climate Change on Women 
Temperature 
Air Quality 
Climate-Related Disasters and Forced Migration
Food Insecurity 
Water Scarcity
Infectious Diseases and Vector-Borne Illness 
The Role of Women and Gener in Climate Change Policy and Planning 
Summary 
References


Chapter 13  Climate Modeling for Health Impacts...235
Kristopher B. Karnauskas 

Greenhouse Gases and Radiative Forcing
What Is a Global Climate Model?
Global Climate Models and Global Change Science 
Summary and Closing Remarks
References 


Chapter 14  Climate and Health Vulnerability Assessments: New Approaches and Tools for Adaptation Planning...249 
Peter Berry, Kristie L. Ebi, Rebekka Schnitter, Louise Aubin, and Sherilee Harper 

Introduction
The Role of Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessments in Preparing for Climate Change Impacts on Health
Methods for Undertaking a Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment 
The Path Forward: Lessons Learned and Opportunities for Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessments
The Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Climate Change and Health Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessments
Summary 
References 


Chapter 15  Climate Change Health Impact Projections: Looking into the Future...267
Nikhil A. Ranadive and Jeremy J. Hess 

A Conceptual Overview of Climate Change Health Impact Projection Modeling
The Role of GCM Projections
The Role of Scenarios 
Characterizations of Projected Exposures
Choosing and Quantifying Exposure-Outcome Associations
Projecting Health Impacts of Extreme Weather Events 
Comparisons and the Counterfactual 
Merging Data Streams in the Climate Change Health Impact Model 
Climate Change Health Impact Projections in the Health Literature 
Characterization of Risk 
Frontiers in Climate Change Health Impact Projection
Summary 
References 


Chapter 16  Protecting Environmental Justice Communities from the Detrimental Impacts of Climate Change...289
Cecilia Martinez and Nicky Sheats 

Introduction
Climate Resiliency and Environmental Justice 
Cumulative Impacts, Environmental Justice and Climate Change 
Air Quality, Environmental Justice and Climate Change 
Heat Waves, Environmental Justice and Climate Change 
Extreme Weather Events and Environmental Justice 
Indigenous Rights and Climate Change 
Next Steps 
Summary 
References and Further Reading 


Chapter 17  Climate Change Communication...307
Adam Corner, Chris Shaw, Stuart Capstick, and Nick Pidgeon

Introduction
Public Understanding of Climate Change and Principle of Climate Change Communication
Communicating the Impacts of Climate Change 
Communicating Climate Change through a Focus on Piublic Health 
Summary 
References and Further Reading 


Chapter 18  International Perspective on Climate Change Adaptation 
Kristie L. Ebi 

Introduction 
Historical Perspective 
International Framework for Adaptation
Assessing Adaptation Needs and Options
NAPAs and NAPs 
Adaptation Option
Summary 
References 

Chapter 19  Health Co-Benefits of Climate Mitigation Strategies...343 
Elizabeth J. Carlton, Amber S. Khan, and Justin V. Remais 

Introduction 
Climate Mitigation 
Estimating the Health Co-Benefits of Climate Mitigation 
Climate Mitigation Health Co-Benefits by Sector 
Challenges and Considerations
Summary 
References 


Chapter 20  International Institutions and Global Governance on Climate Change...365
Ambereen K. Shaffie 

Introduction 
Challenges to Creating Effective Health-Climate Policies 
International Governance Structures Addressing Climate Mitigation
An Introduction to Legal Instruments Relevant to the Health-Climate Nexus
Climate Negotiations
Conclusion
References and Further Reading 


Chapter 21  Climate Change and the Right to Health...393 
Alison Blaiklock, Carmel Williams, and Rhys Jones 

Introduction 
What are Human Rights? 
What is the Right to Health? 
Climate Crisis Impacts on the Right to Health
Unjust Disparities 
Human Rights-Based Approaches to the Climate Crisis
Summary 
References 


Chapter 22  Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction...407
Virginia Murray, Debra Parkinson, and Ellen Bloomer 

Overview 
Climate-Related Disasters and Their Impacts
The 2015 UN Landmark Agreements 
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
WHO's Role in the Implementation of the Sendai Framework 
Roles and Responsibilities of Health Care Professionals in Implementing the Sendai Framework 
Summary 
References 


Chapter 23  Climate Change and Forced Migration 
Craig Spencer, Amit Chandra, and Micaela Y. Arthur  

Introduction 
The Decision to Migrate 
Climate Change and Migration: A Geographic Perspective 
International Frameworks and Conventions Governing Forced Migrant Protection 
Climate Change Risks and Forced Migration 
Summary 
Online Resources 
References 


Chapter 24  Valuing Climate Change Impacts on Human Health...433
Allison Crimmins 

Introduction: Why Do We Value the Climate Change Impacts on Human Health?
Economic Valuation 
Economic Models 
Exmaples of Health Damage Estimates from Climate Change 
Summary 
References 


Chapter 25  Health Care System Resilience...455
Caitlin S. Rublee, Emilie Calvello Hynes and John M. Balbus 

Introduction 
Definitions 
Impacts of Extreme Weather Events on Health Care Systems 
Natural Systems and Resources
International Frameworks for Health Care System Resilience 
Green and Resilient Health Care 
Case Studies 
Econimics and Equity 
Research Needs 
Summary 
References 


Chapter 26  Health Professional Climate Engagement...477
Amy Collins, Shanda Demorest, and Sarah Spengeman 

Introduction
Social Movements 
Advocacy within the Health Care Sector 
Clinically Sustainable Health Care 
Health Professional Leadership for Broader Social Change 
Encouraging Trends 
Summary 
Online Resources 
References 


Chapter 27  Specific Impacts Upon Human Health...497
Caleb Dresser and Satchit Balsari 

Introduction
Cardiovascular Disease 
Respiratory Disease 
Pneumonic Plague 
Pulmonary Hantavirus
Renal Disease 
Neurologic Disease
Reproductive Health and Disease 
Ocular Disease 
Hematology and Oncology 
Psychiatric Disease 
Dermatologic Disease 
Gastrointestinal Disease 
Endocrine Disease 
Multisystem Heat-Related Illness
Infectious Disease, Immunology and Toxicology
Summary 
References


Chapter 28  Climate Change and Loss of Biodiversity...521
Richard Salkowe and Mark R. Hafen 

Introduction Causes and Consequences of Biodiversity Loss
Historical Perspective 
Biodiversity loss in the 21st Century 
Marine and Coastal Ecosystems 
Polar Ocean Ecosystems 
Coastal Ecosystems 
Rainforest Ecosystems 
Desert Ecosystems 
Mountain Ecosystems 
Summary 
References 


Chapter 29  Ecosystem Services...537 
Lydia Olander, Sara Mason, Heather Tallis, Joleah Lamb, Yuta J. Masuda and Randall Kramer

What are Ecosystem Services? 
How does Climate Change Affect Ecosystem Services that Have an Impact on Human Health?
Ecosystem Solutions that Reduce Climate Change Impacts on Human Health 
Summary 
References 


Chapter 30  Climate Change and Health in Alaska...561 
Micah Hahn 

Introduction
Environmental Change in Alaska 
How is Alaska Different from the Contiguous United States?
Climate-Related Health Impacts in Alaska 
OneHealth 
Surveillance for Climate-Related Exposures and Health Outcomes in Alaska 
Climate Adaptation Planning in Alaska 
Next Steps in Addressing Climate and Health in Alaska 
Conclusion 
Acknowledgement 
References 


Chapter 31  The Global Energy Transition and Public Health in a Changing Climate...583
Hanna Linstadt, Cecilia J. Sorensen and Morgan D. Bazilian 

Introduction
Current Trends in Global Energy Supply 
The Energy Transition and Climate Change 
Global Energy Poverty and the SDGs 
Clean Energy Transitions and Health 
Conclusion 
References 


Loss of Coral Reefs...591 
Carolyn Sotka 


The Nurses Climate Challenge: A Model for Health Professional Climate Action...600
Shanda Demorset 


Glossary 
Index