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Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
 WORLD HEALTH DAY 7th April 2008
Protecting Health from Climate Change

How is CLIMATE CHANGE affecting

Our Health?
A Manual for Teachers

Photo: A. Shinde; www.who.int

Regional Office for South-East Asia

© World Health Organization 2008

All rights reserved.

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 the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its
authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

All reasonable precautions have been taken by the World Health Organization to verify the information contained in this publication.
However, 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. In no event shall the World Health Organization be liable for damages
arising from its use.

Any queries regarding this guide should be addressed to: [email protected]

Designed and Printed in India by: Macro Graphics Pvt. Ltd.

Contents

Introduction.........................................................................................................................................................................................iv

Climate Change in Our Region.......................................................................................................................................................1

Impacts of Climate Change: How does it all relate to me?................................................................................................ 11

What can we do to make a Difference?.................................................................................................................................... 21

Annexes............................................................................................................................................................................................... 25

Word Search...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
Case Studies...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 27
Activities............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 29
Details about the diseases........................................................................................................................................................................... 31

Glossary............................................................................................................................................................................................... 33
Introduction

C limate change is often associated with ecosystem destruction and disappearing species. This is all true, but climate
change affects our lives in a more direct way: our health. Unfortunately, the impact of climate change on human
health isn’t generally acknowledged. The fact that human-made changes in climate affect human health, in an indirect
or direct way, needs to be disseminated among our communities, particularly among the youth who hold in their
hands the power to change the future.

This manual is an attempt to sensitize growing adults about the importance of the linkages between climate change
and human health. The students will learn the reasons behind the changes going on, how they affect each one of us
in one way or other, the current and future effects and how we can respond to them. The complete resource material
consists of two manuals: one for teachers and one for students.

The teachers’ manual is a training resource to support spreading the information via interactive classroom activities.
The student’s manual is for them to take home, study and share information about climate change and its impact on
human health with their families.

The manuals were field tested with 300 children and 15 teachers in several schools before printing of the final version.
WHO wishes to thank all those who collaborated in developing the manuals, notably Paula Alvarado, Angela Rey,
Dr. Jonathan Patz, Dr. Jenny Pronczuk and Dr. Andy Reisinger.
 1 Climate Change in Our Region

Did you know that…?

l Eighteen heatwaves were reported in India l The Sunderbans in Bangladesh and in India
between 1980 and 1998. A heatwave in 1988 face threats from the rise in sea level. The
caused 1 300 deaths, while another one in 2003 Sunderbans are the only mangrove tiger habitat
caused more than 3 000. and they support the largest tiger population in
l In 2001, heatwaves in Bangladesh caused deaths the world.
among metal workers and rickshaw pullers due l In 2001, over 45% of tourist resorts in the
to heat stroke. Maldives reported Beach Erosion. Tourism is a
l In 2005, there were floods in Rajasthan and major source of revenue for Maldives.
droughts in northeast India. l In Indonesia, cases of dengue fever have risen
l In 2006, Bhutan reported loss of life from more by close to 50% between 2006 and 2007, likely
frequent flash floods and landslides due to due to temperature increases during and after
melting of glaciers. the annual rains.
l In 2007, four monsoon depressions double
the normal number caused severe floods
in Bangladesh, India and Nepal causing
death, loss of livelihood and displacement of
millions.
l Twelve of the last thirteen years (1995–2007)
rank among the warmest years since 1850.The
years 1998, 2005 and 2007 were the warmest
on record.
l The glaciers in the Himalayas, the “Water Towers
of Asia”, are melting rapidly. They are receding
at an average rate of 10 to 50 meters per year.
The Himalayas contribute crucially to the water
supply of 1.3 billion people, feeding into nine of
Asia’s greatest rivers. Photo: Basuki; www.who.int/phe
  A Manual for Teachers

l Indonesia’s Environment Minister said global The major mechanism behind climate change is the
warming was to blame for the devastating floods increased “greenhouse effect”, by which the Earth’s
that hit the capital Jakarta in November 2007, atmosphere traps energy from the sun just like a
forcing thousands of people to flee homes. greenhouse.

It appears that the phenomenon of The natural greenhouse effect which warms our planet
global warming is upon us all! What’s to support life—is being heavily disturbed.
happening?
The energy from the sun warms land, water, and air. In
We first need to realize that there is a difference between turn, the warmed-up land, water, and air give off heat,
weather and climate. which rises up towards the sky. Gases, such as water
l Weather consists of those meteorological events, vapor, present in the Earth’s atmosphere capture some
such as rain, wind, and sunshine that can change of that heat and prevent it from escaping into space. This
day by day, even hour by hour. heat trap keeps the Earth warm, and like a warm blanket
l Climate is the average of all these events over a makes our planet a habitable world for all the various
period of time, like a year or several years. animal and plant species to survive in.

Without this heat trapping system, the Earth’s surface

... and what is climate change? would be about 15 degrees Celsius colder than it is
Our planet’s climate is always changing. In the past it has now.
altered following natural causes but at the present the
changes have accelerated as a result of human behavior. This process is known as the greenhouse effect. It is a
natural phenomenon mainly driven by water vapor,
Nowadays the term “climate change” is generally used and other greenhouse gases (or GHGs) present in the
when referring to changes in our climate, which have atmosphere. Adding more greenhouse gases increases the
been identified as occurring since the beginning of the warming effect to the point that it is no longer beneficial
mid-19th century. but has negative consequences for life on Earth.

Figure 1: The Greenhouse Effect

The Greenhouse Effect

Solar radiation powers Some of the infrared
the climate system. SUN radiation passes through
the atmosphere but most
is absorbed and re-emitted
in all directions
by greenhouse gas
molecules and clouds.
Some solar radiation The effect of this is to
is reflected by warm the Earth’s surface
the Earth and the and the lower atmosphere.
atmosphere.

ATMOSPHERE

EARTH
About half the solar radiation
is absorbed by the Infrared radiation is
Earth’s surface and warms it. emitted from the Earth’s
surface.

Source: www.global-greenhouse-warming.com/
 Climate Change in Our Region 

Table 1: The six main greenhouse gases

Name Description
Is one of the most abundant gases in the atmosphere and builds up with the evaporation
Water vapor
from water bodies on Earth.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) Is produced by the combustion of fossil fuels and from forest fires.
Animal husbandry, irrigated agriculture and oil extraction release important amounts of this
Methane (CH4)
potent greenhouse gas.
Nitrous oxide (N2O) Is a by-product of burning fossil fuels and is also released when ploughing farm soils.
Main element of the protective layer in the upper atmosphere, which shields the Earth
Ozone (O3) from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. Ozone is both a natural and a man-made gas.
Produced in excess as a result of smog and severe air pollution, it becomes harmful to human
health.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) Chlorine-containing gas used for refrigerators, air conditioners, aerosol sprays
propellants and cleaning agents. Chlorofluorocarbons cause depletion of the
atmospheric ozone layer.

For over 10 000 years, the Earth has had relatively stable How do people produce the
temperatures. But scientists have noticed that for the past greenhouse gases?
150 years our planet has been warming up fast.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is produced mainly in the burning
This phenomenon is called “global warming”. It is of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas in industry, in
basically due to the increased amount of greenhouse electricity generation, in transport and for heating
gases in the atmosphere that have intensified the purposes. In the incineration of waste, a great deal of
greenhouse effect. This change is the result of human carbon dioxide is released as well.
activities that release GHGs.

Figure 2: Atmospheric concentration of CO2 between 1870 and 1990

Atmospheric concentration of CO2

Parts per million (ppm)
360

340

320

300

280

260
1870 1890 1910 1930 1950 1970 1990

Source: © UNEP/GRID-Arendal; http://maps.grida.no/go/graphic/global_atmospheric_concentration_of_co2_1870_1990

  A Manual for Teachers

Figure 3: Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) between 1957 and 2007

Atmospheric CO2
concentration (ppm)
380

360

340

320

300

1957 1967 1977 1987 1997 2007

Source: © Hugo Ahlenius, UNEP/GRID-Arendal; http://maps.grida.no/go/graphic/
atmospheric-concentrations-of-carbon-dioxide-co2-mauna-loa-or-keeling-curve

Methane (CH4) is released mainly by cattle (digestive global warming, this effect would increase the demands
processes and manure), in waste treatment (fermentation for air conditioning, thereby increasing the emissions of
on landfills), through leaks in the distribution of natural greenhouse gases.
gas and in combustion processes.
Some greenhouse gases occur naturally in the Earth’s
Nitrous oxide (N2O) or laughing gas, is released especially atmosphere. But scientists measuring the gases have
in the burning of fossil fuels (mainly in traffic), in a number found their amount has increased especially in the past
of processes in the chemical industry and in agriculture. few decades.
l Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most important
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and similar substances and human-generated (or “anthropogenic”) GHG. Its
their substitute products (HCFCs and PFCs) are used chiefly annual emissions grew by about 80% between
as refrigerants, air conditioners, as propellants in aerosols 1970 and 2004.
and in the production of foam plastic. l The amount of CO2 in the atmosphere reached
385 parts per million (or “ppm”) in 2006, an
Ozone (O3) as such is not put into the atmosphere directly unprecedented level in the past 650 000 years.
by man, but is generated there via a series of chemical
l The increase of GHG in the atmosphere is mainly
reactions involving Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Carbon
human driven and is linked to the burning of
Monoxide (CO) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). fossil fuels such as coal or gas, but also due to
These ozone precursors, as they are called, are produced forest fires.
mainly by the transport and industrial sectors.
l Scientists believe CO2 levels will rise another 30%
during the next 50 years.
Urban settings are the biggest emitters of GHGs; they
produce the maximum amount of industrial and car
emissions.

Mega-cities produce a “Heat Island Effect”. “Heat islands”

refer mainly to urban settings where buildings and The amount of CO2 in the atmosphere grew by about
asphalt roads absorb and thereafter release more solar 80% between 1970 and 2004.
energy and thus increase the surrounding air and surface
temperatures. Although they do not directly contribute to
 Climate Change in Our Region 

Figure 4: National carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per capita.

CO2 Emission in 2002

Tonnes per capita
20 United States

Saudi Arabia
19
Australia
18

17

16

15
Canada

14

13
High
income
average 12 Czech Republic
Norway
11 Russian Federation
United Kingdom
Germany
10 Japan

9
South Africa
Ukraine
8 Malaysia
France
Sweden
7 Iran
Mexico
Argentina
6 Turkey
Thailand
Gabon
5 Egypt
China
Brazil
GNP per capita,PPP
Uruguay
World 4 Indonesia (International $)
average India more than 20000
Philippines 10000 to 20000
3 Guatemala
Pakistan 5000 to 10000
Yemen 2000 to 5000
2 Togo less than 2000
Nigeria
Bangladesh
Low 1 Ethiopia
income Montague
Uganda
average Mali
0 0

Source: UNEP/GRID-Arendal; http://maps.grida.no/

  A Manual for Teachers

Those countries that have historically contributed to global from it. The two figures below show the unethical balance
warming will not be the ones that will suffer the most between emitters of GHG and victims of climate change.

Figure 5: Cumulative emissions of greenhouse gases

     
"ILLION 4ONS #ARBON

Source: Patz et al, Ecohealth, December 2007

Figure 6: WHO estimates of deaths per million people, attributable to the climate change that occurred
from 1970s to 2000.

0 2 4 70 120
Mortality Per Million Population

Source: Patz et al, Ecohealth, December 2007

 Climate Change in Our Region 

Figure 7: Global average temperatures 1850–2007

Strong global warming observed since 1975

Global Average Near-Surface Temperatures 1850–2007

1.0
with respect to the end of the 19th century

0.8
Temperature Difference (0c)

0.6

0.4

0.2

0.0

-0.2

-0.4
1880 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000
Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research

Source: © British Crown Copyright 2008, the Met Office

Topics recap 1: What is climate change? The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
1. Create your own folder on climate change and (IPCC)was established in 1988 by the World
human health! Collect newspaper articles or Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United
look up the web for recent information and Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Its role is
news articles on climate change impacts in your to assess the scientific, technical and socio-economic
region. You will be surprised how many there information relevant for the understanding of the risk of
are! Save them for later reference. human induced climate change.
2. Ask older members of your family what the
weather was like when they were of your age, The Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC, the result
and compare it to today. of 3 years of collaborative work by a group of 3 600
3. Explain the difference between weather and scientific experts was released in 2007. Its findings state:
climate. ”Global atmospheric concentrations of CO2  , methane and
nitrous oxide have increased markedly as a result of human
4. Why is the greenhouse effect so important?
activities since 1750 and now far exceed pre-industrial
5. Why is climate change also an ethical issue? values determined from ice cores spanning many thousands
6. By how much has the concentration of CO2 risen of years.”
in the last 150 years? l Because greenhouse gases trap heat, their
increase is expected to raise the average global
Check it out for yourself! You can try this easy experiment temperature by 0.2 degrees Celsius per decade
at home: Take two jars and put a teaspoon of water in each over the next 100 years.
jar. Put a lid on just one jar. Place both jars in a sunny spot. l Because GHGs are persistent, even if the
After a few hours, check on the jars. You will see that the open concentrations of all greenhouse gases had
jar hasn’t changed, but the closed jar will be steamy and hot
inside. What happened? The heat from the sun could not
escape from the closed jar. 
www.ipcc.ch
  A Manual for Teachers

Figure 8: Sea level rise prediction according to various scenarios

Sea Level Rise Projections in the IPCC: 2001 and 2007

1.0
TAR AR4
A1B
A1Fl
A1T
A2
0.8 B1
B2
Sea level rise (m)

0.6

0.4

0.2

0.0
1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080 2090 2100

Year

Source: © Center for Science and Technology Policy Research, University of Colorado, USA

been kept constant at year 2000 levels, a in the energy system. The three A1 groups are distinguished
further warming of 0.1 degree Celsius of global by their technological emphasis: fossil-intensive (A1FI),
temperature per decade would be expected. non-fossil energy sources (A1T), or a balance across all
This may not seem much, but this is the same sources (A1B).
as the global average temperature rise that
occurred over the last century. A2. The A2 storyline and scenario family describes a very
heterogeneous world. The underlying theme is self-reliance
The IPCC research teams addressed the inherent and preservation of local identities. Fertility patterns across
complexity in the study of climate change by developing regions converge very slowly, which results in continuously
Integrated Assessment Models (IAM) for predicting increasing population. Economic development is primarily
greenhouse gas emissions and their effects on global regionally oriented and per-capita economic growth and
temperature. technological change is more fragmented and slower than
in other storylines.
A1. The A1 storyline and scenario family describes a future
world of very rapid economic growth, global population that B1. The B1 storyline and scenario family describes a
peaks in mid-century and declines thereafter, and the rapid convergent world with global population, that peaks in mid-
introduction of new and more efficient technologies. Major century and declines thereafter, as in the A1 storyline, but
underlying themes are convergence among regions, capacity with rapid change in economic structures toward a service
building and increased cultural and social interactions, with and information economy, with reductions in material
a substantial reduction in regional differences in per capita intensity and the introduction of clean and resource-
income. The A1 scenario family develops into three groups efficient technologies. The emphasis is on global solutions
that describe alternative directions of technological change to economic, social and environmental sustainability,
 Climate Change in Our Region 

including improved equity, but without additional climate in salinity; fresh water is less dense than salt water and
initiatives. therefore takes up slightly more space than an equal
mass of salt water. Relying on data from satellites and
B2. The B2 storyline and scenario family describes a world floats (mechanical devices drifting in the ocean), a
in which the emphasis is on local solutions to economic, group of oceanographers announced in June 2006 that
social and environmental sustainability. It is a world with sea level rose, on average, 3 millimeters (0.1 inches) per
continuously increasing global population, at a rate lower year between 1993 and 2005.
than A2, intermediate levels of economic development
and less rapid and more diverse technological change Warmer temperatures will also accelerate the melting
than in the B1 and A1 storylines. While the scenario is also of glaciers, leading to flash floods first, and to water
oriented towards environmental protection and social shortages later.
equity, it focuses on local and regional levels.
The IPCC projections state:
Warmer temperatures also translate into warmer seas,
which in turn create conditions for more intense and “By the 2050s, freshwater availability in Central, South,
more frequent tropical storms and cyclones. East and South-East Asia, particularly in large river basins,
is projected to decrease;
The large amount of variation between predictions of the l Coastal areas, especially heavily-populated mega
different scenarios underlines the complexity involved delta regions in South, East and South-East Asia,
in making such predictions and the large amount of will be at greatest risk due to increased flooding
uncertainty inherent in climate change models. from the sea, and in some mega deltas, flooding
from the rivers;
A warmer atmosphere also disrupts wind and rain patterns l Climate change is projected to compound
leading to excessive floods and/or prolonged droughts. the pressures on natural resources and the
environment, associated with rapid urbanization,
As warmer seas expand, the sea level will rise, threatening industrialization and economic development;
residents along the coastlines and on low lying islands. l Endemic morbidity and mortality due to
diarrhoeal disease primarily associated with floods
and droughts are expected to rise in East, South
and South-East Asia due to projected changes in
the hydrological cycle.”

Topics recap 2: Global warming

1. Explain what global warming is.
2. By how much will the temperatures have
increased by 2100?
3. Why does the sea level rise?
4. Name four natural events that will be accelerated
because of global warming.
5. Study the statement of the IPCC and explain it in
Increasing sea-levels will lead to costal erosion
your own words.
Photo: ©Greenpeace/Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert

When sea level rises, it can do so for a few reasons. It

can rise due to thermal expansion—the tendency of 
The morbidity rate is the number of cases of people with a
warm water to take up more space than cooler water. disease in a population.
It can rise due to the addition of water, for instance 
The mortality rate is the number of deaths in a population
from melting glaciers. It can also rise due to changes over a year.
10 A Manual for Teachers

Changes in the Glacier at Shrong Himal, Nepal over 26 years.

Source: Laboratory of Cryosphere Variation, Nagoya University http://snowman.hyarc.nagoya-u.ac.jp

 Impacts of Climate Change:
2 How does it all relate to me?

When we talk about global warming the first picture

that comes to our mind is generally of ecosystem
destruction and loss of wildlife habitat... but, what about
us, humans?

A lot of attention has been given to the impact of

climate change on our environment, ecosystems and
on various plant and animal species. However, climate
change will also have major direct and indirect impacts
on our health.

Indeed, the most recent report of the IPCC highlighted a

wide range of implications for human health:
l Climate change can cause death and disease Photo: www.allposters.com
through natural disasters, such as heatwaves,
floods and droughts.
l In addition, many important diseases are
very sensitive to changing temperatures and
precipitation. These include common diseases
such as malaria and dengue fever; as well as
other major killers such as malnutrition and
diarrhoea.
l Climate change already contributes to the
global burden of disease, and this contribution
is expected to grow in the future.

The various potential health effects of climate change,

Photo: © Abir Abdullah / Still Pictures
both direct and indirect, are summarized in Table 2.
 12 A Manual for Teachers

conditions related to circulatory, respiratory and

nervous-system problems.

An increase in heat waves, particularly in urban areas,

could significantly increase deaths. Higher overnight
temperatures during heat waves are also a concern for
human health, as cooler temperatures at night offer
much-needed relief from the heat of the day.

Respiratory diseases
Respiratory diseases are a condition in which breathing
becomes difficult and the oxygen level in the blood
abruptly drops lower than normal.
Photo: © T. Balabaadkan UNEP / Still Pictures
Respiratory diseases are a leading cause of mortality in
developing countries, and one of the most common causes
In more detail: The climate change of illness in children of developed countries as well.
impacts on your health
In 1990, respiratory diseases were the leading cause of
Climate change will not only bring a warmer disabilities and illnesses worldwide. By 2020, respiratory-
world, it is setting the scenario for an related diseases are projected to rank among the top ten
unhealthier one. causes of poor health globally. In fact, the prevalence
of asthma since the 1980s in a number of countries has
Heat strokes increased four-fold.
Higher temperatures are expected to increase the
occurrence of heat-related illnesses such as heat Respiratory diseases, such as asthma and allergies,
exhaustion and heat stroke, and exacerbate existing are caused by combinations of different factors. These

Table 2: Health concerns and vulnerabilities due to climate change

Weather events Impacts on human health
Warm spells, heatwaves and stagnant w Heat stroke, affecting mainly children and the elderly.
air masses w Increase in respiratory diseases.
w Cardio-vascular illnesses.
Warmer temperatures and disturbed w More exposure to diseases like malaria, dengue, Japanese encephalitis and other
rainfall patterns diseases carried by vectors such as mosquitoes, rodents and ticks (known as
“vectors”. These diseases are therefore called vector-borne diseases.
Heavy precipitation events w Increased risk of diseases related to contaminated water (water-borne) and to unsafe
food (food-borne). Depletion of safe water supplies and poor sanitation will increase
the incidence of diarrhoeal diseases such as cholera.
Droughts w Malnutrition and starvation particularly affecting children’s growth and development.
w Reduced crop yields causing stress for farmers and their families (known as
“psychosocial stress”), who may be unable to pay their debts during extended and
repeated droughts.
Intense weather events (cyclones, w Loss of life, injuries, life-long handicaps.
storms) w Damaged public health infrastructure such as health centers, hospitals and clinics.
w Loss of life, loss of property and land, displacement and forced migration due to
disasters will bring about psychosocial stress affecting mental health.
Sea level rise and coastal storms w Loss of livelihoods and disappearance of land will trigger massive migration and
cause potential social conflicts, affecting mental health.
Source: WHO, 2007
 Impacts of Climate Change 13

Photo: © Deb Kushal -UNEP / Still Pictures Photo: © Abir Abdullah / Still Pictures

factors are linked to the genetic background and the Runoff from fields (bearing pesticides), landfills,
lifestyle of a person as well as the environment they live septic fields, sewer pipes and residential or industrial
in. Heat speeds chemical reactions and consequently developments can also contaminate surface water.
may worsen pollution from ozone. It may also spur This also occurs during floods.
pollen production by some plants, which could in turn
worsen asthma and allergies in some people. In developing countries many illnesses are caused by
waterborne diseases, with diarrhoea being the leading
Long-term exposure to air pollution, both inside the cause of childhood death.
home and outdoors, is known to increase the risk of
respiratory illness in children. The global picture of water and health has a strong local
dimension; some 1.1 billion people still lack access to
Key air pollutants that can affect human health are improved drinking water sources and some 2.4 billion to
ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide. This adequate sanitation. In India, over 70% of the population
pollution is mainly linked to road traffic or industrial has no access to proper latrines!
processes. Air pollutants from fossil fuels have global
impacts that are not just a local, national or regional Contaminated water and food are the single most
concern because they can be transported thousands common way by which people become infected.
of miles away. The continued emissions of GHG will
worsen air pollution levels. Warmer temperatures will raise the risk of flooding,
increasing diarrhoeal illnesses such as typhoid, cholera
Waterborne diseases and other waterborne illnesses. Floods cause sewage and
Waterborne diseases are any illness caused by drinking drinking water systems to mix, and that water if ingested
water contaminated by human or animal faeces, which can lead to diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea and typhoid.
contain pathogenic microorganisms. The lack of sanitation would make the problem worse.

Overall, climate change is expected to increase the

burden of diarrhoea, mostly in developing countries, by
2 to 5 percent by 2020.
By 2020, respiratory-related diseases are projected
to rank among the top ten causes of poor health Also, algal blooms could occur more frequently as
globally. temperatures warm, particularly in areas with polluted
waters, in which case diseases such as cholera that
tend to accompany algal blooms could become more
14 A Manual for Teachers

frequent. Such infectious disease outbreaks would affect Malaria kills over a million people every year; a large
all sections of society, both the rich and poor. percentage of them are children under five, mainly in
Africa. Malaria mosquitoes could be controlled with
Vector-borne diseases efficient drainage because they all depend on water to
The current diversity of infectious disease threats facing complete their life-cycles.
humanity is unprecedented. Infectious diseases are now
the world’s number one killer. Malnutrition
Malnutrition is a general term for a medical condition
Scientists suspect that many diseases transmitted by caused by an improper or insufficient diet. It most often
insects and animals (known as vector-borne diseases) refers to under-nutrition resulting from inadequate
will become more common, although there is more consumption, poor absorption or excessive loss of
uncertainty about this than other consequences of global nutrients.
warming.
The world’s poorest countries face a dramatic rise in
Climate change may increase the risk of some infectious deaths from disease and malnutrition as a result of
diseases, particularly those diseases that appear in warm climate change, which is driven by wealthier, more
areas and are spread by mosquitoes and other insects. A industrialized and more polluting countries.
change in climate will be more favorable to the growth
of “vector organisms” like mosquitoes and rodents. These In 1990, worldwide there were 520 million people at risk
vector-borne diseases include malaria, dengue fever, of hunger, according to a study by British and American
yellow fever and encephalitis. scientists published in 2005. In the absence of global
warming, that number was predicted to fall to 300 million
Other diseases that may become more prevalent are by 2080. With global warming, it is expected to fall only
chikungunya and yellow fever (both also carried by to 380 million.
mosquitoes), schistosomiasis (vector: land snails),
leishmaniasis (sand flies) and Lyme disease (ticks). Food production would be severely affected by climate
change, especially cereal crops. A change in climate
Higher temperatures, in combination with favorable would change temperature, rainfall patterns, soil moisture
rainfall patterns, could prolong disease transmission and soil fertility. Crop pests could find ideal conditions to
seasons in some locations where certain diseases thrive. Food security problems would lead to widespread
already exist. In disease-free locations, climate change malnutrition. This would reduce child growth and
could enhance the introduction of certain vector-borne development. Malnutrition and hunger would affect
diseases. adults’ health too.

Greater variability in weather patterns along with higher

temperatures may lead to droughts and water shortages.
Today, 1.7 billion people (about one-third of the world’s
population) live in places that have periodic water
shortages. That number is expected to increase to 5
billion by 2025.

...rainfall patterns, could prolong disease transmission

seasons in some locations where certain diseases
already exist.

Photo: © Shehzad Noorani /Majority World / Still Pictures

 Impacts of Climate Change 15

Figure 9: Causes of child mortality (WHO, 1996)

Malaria Acute respiratory

infections
5%

32% 19%
Other
Malnutrition 55%
7% Measles

19% 18%

Diarrhoea Perinatal Causes

Causes of mortality among children less than 5 years of age in developing countries, 1999
*Malnutrition affects 54% of all children less than 5 years of age, and it makes them vulnerable to acute respiratory
infections, diarrhoea, malaria and measles.
Source: Adapted from WHO/FCH/CAH/00.40 [WHO Geneva, Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development (CAH).Model chapter for
textbooks-IMCI-Integrated Management of Childhood Illness], 2001

Food security problems would lead to

widespread malnutrition.

A decrease in water availability as a result of changes in

the rainfall pattern, forcing people to drink unsafe water,
would add to the health problems related to diarrhoeal
disease outbreaks.

Water and food scarcity would bring havoc to subsistence Floods in Andhra Pradesh in October 2005 killed over 120 people and
injured many more.
farmers, possibly triggering mass migration to urban Source: www.rmtbristol.org.uk
centers.
These injuries can result in major trauma, such as
Decreasing river flows, rising salinity of estuaries, loss of the loss of limbs, and minor injuries (broken bones
fish and aquatic plant species and reductions in coastal and cuts and bruises), but also lead to deaths from
sediments are likely to damage fisheries, a key source of drowning. Flooding is the most common weather
protein for coastal and riverside populations, possibly as disaster, responsible for the deaths of about 100 000
early as 2020. people and the displacement of 1.2 billion from 1992
to 2001, globally.
Injuries
Changes in the frequency of extreme weather events The devastating impact of the 2007 floods in Nepal,
such as heatwaves, cold spells, hurricanes, cyclones, Bangladesh and India and of the super-cyclone Sidr in
floods and storms would result in injuries and deaths. Bangladesh killed over 4 000 people and made millions
16 A Manual for Teachers

Number of events
per year
Trends in number
450
of reported events
All disasters
400
Much of the increase in the number of
hazardous events reported is probably due
350 to significant improvements in information
access and also to population growth,but
the number of floods and cyclones being
All disasters include:
300 drought, reported is still rising compared to
earthquake, extreme earthquakes. How, we must ask, is global
temperatures
warming affecting the frequency of natural
famine, flood, insect
250 infestation, slides hazards?
volcanic eruption,
wave / surge,wild
200 fires,wind storm. 200
Earthquakes
versus Climatic Disasters
150 150
Floods

100 100

Earthquakes Cyclones
50 50
Earthquakes

0 0
1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000

Source: © Emmanuelle Bournay, UNEP/GRID-Arendal; http://maps.grida.no/go/graphic/trends-in-natural-disasters

homeless. Particularly vulnerable groups include affect their well-being. Stressful situations may arise
children, women (especially pregnant women) and due to natural disasters, traumatic events, crowding or
the elderly. Women have the added burden of earning isolation.
for the family in cases where their husbands have to
migrate to cities in search of a livelihood after a natural Natural disasters not only lead to destruction, but also
disaster. to displacement. Survivors of such disasters have to
cope not only with physical injuries, but the pain and
Psychosocial stress stress of loosing their family members, homes and
Psychosocial stress occurs when acute or chronic livelihood. Witnessing such traumatic events could
events, of psychological or social in origin, cause a have a devastating impact on their mental health—
major disruption in an individual’s day-to-day life and sometimes, forever.
 Impacts of Climate Change 17

Artist: Meetu Singh, 13 years old, Student

18 A Manual for Teachers

Figure 10: Linkages between climate change and human health

Modulating
influences Health effects
Temperature-related
illness and death
Extreme
weather-related
Regional Microbial health effects
weather contamination
pathways Air pollution-related
changes
health effects
� Heatwaves Transmission
dynamics Water and
� Extreme food-borne diseases
weather Agro-
ecosystems, Vector-borne and
CLIMATE
� Temperature hydrology rodent-borne
CHANGE
diseases
� Precipitation
Socioeconomics,
Effects of food and
demographics
water shortages
Mental,nutritional,
infectious and other
Health-specific health effects
adaptation
measures

Research
needs Evaluation of
adaptation

Source: http://www.who.int/globalchange/en/
 Impacts of Climate Change 19

Individuals who experience a catastrophic event may events. These issues are likely to be more severe in
develop ongoing difficulties known as Post-Traumatic developing countries, and may worsen human health
stress disorder (PTSD). The stressful or traumatic event and well-being in affected regions.
involves a situation where someone’s life has been
threatened or severe injury has occurred. A person’s It is imperative to have a better understanding of the
risk of developing PTSD is related to the seriousness relationships between climate change and human
of the trauma, whether the trauma is repeated, the health. Indeed, it is high time that health concerns
proximity to the trauma, and his/her relationship to move up front in the decision-making processes about
the victim(s). mitigation and adaptation to global warming and
climate change.
Following the trauma, those affected may initially show
agitated or confused behavior. They also may show Topics recap 3: Why should health be at the heart
intense fear, helplessness, anger, sadness, horror or of climate change discussions?
denial. Children who experience repeated trauma may 1. Why do you think that little attention has been
develop a kind of emotional numbing to deaden or block given to the impacts of climate change on
the pain and trauma. This is called dissociation. Children human health?
with PTSD avoid situations or places that remind them
2. How are respiratory illnesses related to global
of the trauma. They may also become less responsive
warming?
emotionally, depressed, withdrawn, and more detached
from their feelings. The symptoms of PTSD may last from 3. Which are the six main health impacts from
climate change?
several months to many years.
4. What are waterborne diseases and how do they
Climate change may also contribute to social disruption, relate to climate change?
economic decline and displacement of populations in 5. Study the WHO graph on climate change and
certain regions due to effects on agricultural production, health linkages, and describe its contents in your
already-scarce water resources and extreme weather own words.
Artist: Abhay Solanki, 13 years old, Student
 What can we do to
3 make a Difference?

There are two basic ways to deal with the health problems Examples of mitigation
of climate change:
Through encouraging personal action, we can do our
l Reduce the causes of climate change and its part to dramatically reduce greenhouse gases and begin
consequences on human health—known as turning back the clock on climate change. We can make
“mitigation”; and
small but significant contributions towards preventing and
l Improve the capacity to cope with the health reducing the effects of climate change simply by making a
risks by being better prepared—known as few changes in our daily lives. For example, some measures
“adaptation”. that will reduce our household GHGs emissions include:

1. Use AC and water coolers less.

2. Use low-energy light bulbs and switch them off when leaving the room.
3. Save water by not letting it run while brushing your teeth.
4. Turn off computers, TV and other appliances when not in use.
5. Improve insulation systems in our homes by designing our houses better.
6. Walk or cycle more—use the car less!
7. Use public transportation more often.
8. Share ride to school with friends and neighbors. It’s also fun!
9. Implement the “Three Rs principle”: Reduce, Recycle, Re-use!
10. Home water purification treatments can prevent water borne diseases.
11. Sleeping in mosquito nets can protect us from being bitten by mosquitoes carrying diseases such as malaria and dengue.
Fixing wire netting on windows, using mosquito repellent creams and wearing long-sleeved clothes and trousers are also
useful in avoiding mosquitoes.
22 A Manual for Teachers

Mitigation: Any action taken to permanently eliminate or reduce the long-term risk to human life, property, and function from
the hazards of climate change. Without good and early mitigation, the difficulty and costs of adaptation will grow rapidly.
Adaptation: An adjustment in behavior that responds to actual or expected climatic effects. Various types of adaptation can
be distinguished, including anticipatory and reactive adaptation, public and private adaptation, and autonomous and planned
adaptation. Successful adaptation builds on local knowledge, local capacity and willingness to act.

These are things you can do yourself. But to bring about a Examples of adaptation
wider change in our society in relation to climate change
it is important to involve communities around us. For Public health policies need to deal not only with the
example, we and our neighbors can get rid of sources of current burden of disease but also to take measures to
breeding sites of mosquitoes by encouraging people to reduce and prevent disease in the future. Improving
fill in pools and puddles of stagnant water with sand and the response to disease and surveillance is thus vital.
by asking local government and authorities to provide a Fortunately, much of the health risk is avoidable through
good drainage system. existing health programmes and interventions. Concerted
action to strengthen key features of health systems
All countries have the responsibility to achieve the and to promote healthy development choices can both
emissions targets set under the Kyoto Protocol. They enhance public health now and reduce vulnerability to
are binding for those countries that have ratified this future climate change.
international agreement. The private sector has an
obvious role to play in cutting greenhouse gas emissions Governments should actively work with local communities,
by using more energy-efficient technologies that could notably in rural and remote areas to empower them with
dramatically reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Plant- knowledge about local solutions to protect themselves
based “bio fuels” could represent an alternative as long as from diseases. For instance, it is important for them to
they don’t cause deforestation, threaten food supplies or understand the need to have a system that ensures safe
make climate change even worse. drinking water and to have the necessary knowledge to
maintain it.
The health sector should emphasize the health benefits
of reducing greenhouse gases by encouraging the use Other measures that reduce the negative impacts
of public transportation such as rapid transport system of climate change include the use of crop varieties
which will reduce air pollution and decrease the rate of with greater drought tolerance; adoption of irrigation
traffic injuries. Having cleaner air and leaving the car at methods that use less water or use it more efficient and
home will also encourage more physical activity and thus preparing for rising sea levels with better flood defenses
reduce obesity. and ensuring no settlements are in vulnerable areas.

Both adaptation and mitigation are needed (now) as

effective response measures to climate change. We
need to “avoid the unmanageable and manage the
unavoidable”.

We can make small but significant contributions

towards preventing and reducing the effects of
climate change simply by making a few changes in
our daily lives.

Rapid Transport System

 What can we do to make a Difference? 23

Case Study A: Most households in Bhutanese villages suffer from water scarcity
during the dry season. Village elders tell that many rivers have dried out in recent time.
In 2006-rooftop rainwater harvesting systems were provided to various communities.
A reservoir tank with the capacity to hold enough water throughout the dry period,
gutters and down pipes to channel water into the tank were given to each household
by the government. The local community provided the labor for installation and was
trained to ensure sustained operation and maintenance. These rooftop rainwater
harvesting systems have changed lives and increased climate change resilience.

Case Study B: Sri Lankan children are observing mosquito larvae in water
containers. They learn to identify the larvae of the various mosquitoes that
breed in the paddy fields around their village. By understanding the life cycle of
the disease vectors and the importance of environmental factors such as water
and temperature, villagers become experts in Integrated Vector Management or
IVM. IVM allows local communities to be better prepared to address the health
impacts of climate change and to keep healthy.

Personal action
Enjoy the sun! Fit solar panels on the roof of your
“A to Z” tips on what YOU can do NOW, to help home. Why not turn your home or office into a clean
reduce the adverse health impacts from climate power station? Solar power is renewable and plentiful!
change
Fridge: Don’t leave fridge doors open for longer than
Act Now! necessary; let foods cool down fully before placing in the
fridge or freezer; defrost regularly and keep the appliance
Buy energy efficient appliances: Make informed at the right temperature. Where possible, don’t place
choices. If you’re buying a washing machine, refrigerator, cookers and fridges/freezers next to each other.
dish-washer or oven, buy the most energy-efficient
model you can afford. They might be more expensive but Go Green! If you have to buy a car, buy a fuel-efficient,
they pay for themselves through lower energy bills. The environmentally friendly one. This will save you money
same is true for procurement of office equipment, such as and keep more CO2 from going into the atmosphere.
computers, photocopiers and printers. Make sure that your tires are inflated correctly—this can
save you 5% on the cost of your petrol. Share car journeys
C alculate your personal carbon footprint and with your work colleagues or friends. Make more use
cut your greenhouse gas emissions. See for example: of public transport, such as the metro, and the train
3w.earthday.net/footprint/info.asp or at http://www. for longer journeys. For short trips and local shopping,
carbonfootprint.com/ try walking or use a bicycle. It keeps you fit and is fun
too! More at: 3w.worldwildlife.org/climate/involved/
D ebate, discuss, and distribute leaflets, brochures and individuals.cfm
posters on climate change and environmental health issues.
Useful information is available at: 3w.unep.org/wed/2007/ Halve your emissions by moving your air conditioner
english/; http://unfccc.int/; 3w.who.int/globalchange/ thermostat up by 5 degrees Celsius in summer. Almost
climate/en/index.html; www.climatecrisis.net/ half of the energy we use in our homes goes to cooling.
24 A Manual for Teachers

Maintain the filters on your air conditioners by cleaning 10 and 60% of the power when in “stand-by” mode. Turn
them regularly. A clean air filter can save pounds of carbon off computer screens and photocopiers when you take a
dioxide a year. More at: 3w.greenpeace.org/international/ break. Also turn off lights when you don’t need them,—
campaigns/climate-change/take_action it saves energy after a minute or two. Unplug electronic
items when you’re not using them.
Involve your family, friends, children and neighbors!
Use less energy, and conserve more of it! Do not
Join an environmental group. Find out what action waste water—close your tap while brushing your teeth,
groups are doing around your locality or region; if there and while soaping clothes, body or dishes. Repair leaky
are no groups, start one! plumbing fixtures; prevent overflowing of tanks. Energy
is used for pumping and treating water. Save water to
Kick start an environmental campaign in your save energy!
neighborhood.
Value wastes! Do not dump your home wastes
Lamps: Replace the bulbs you use most with compact everywhere. Heaps of garbage left in the open emit
fluorescent lamps or CFL bulbs. More information on CFL methane and contribute to global warming. Segregate
at: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls your wastes so they can be recycled and/or reused and
where possible use organic waste for composting.
M inimize the use of toxic chemicals. Use non toxic,
biodegradable, water- or plant-based paints, cleaners Write letters about the health impacts of climate
and pest repellents. change to the local newspapers. This is a great way to
keep the issue in the public mind. It also sparks a debate
N etwork with specialized agencies, non-profit and allows us all to understand what the real issues are.
organizations and engaged communities. More at: http://
www.cseindia.org/html/eyou/climate/index_climate.htm Xpress your concerns on environmental health
issues and solutions and stay informed. Read widely
O ffset your carbon footprint. There are many cost- and understand what we are dealing with.
effective energy saving and carbon reducing steps anyone
can take. See more at: http://www.carbonfund.org/ Your president, prime minister, parliamentarian or
local leader needs to know about the impacts of climate
Plant trees: The United Nations Environment Programme change on health. Write letters to them asking for policies
(UNEP) has launched a major worldwide tree planting to ensure greenhouse gas emissions fall by at least 3%
campaign, aiming at planting one billion trees around the each year from now on.
globe. http://www.unep.org/billiontreecampaign/
Z oom in on reducing emissions: It is the best way
Quit using plastic bags. Carry your own bag with you forward! Our countries need new national legislation and
when going shopping. laws to help ensure that we develop cleaner cars and cleaner
power plants and to help us get government rebates on
Recycle, repair and reuse materials. Tips, tricks and installing solar power, solar hot water, or wind power in our
ideas for sustainable living. See: www.ban.org/main/ homes. See also: http://www.climatecrisis.net/t
marketplace.html;    www.geda.org.in/e_conserv/ec_ov_
tds.htm; http://www.regeneration.org/tips-downloads/ Topics recap 4: Get Involved, now!
1. The most obvious step towards reducing the
Save paper: Print on both sides of the paper. Proofread adverse impacts from climate change on human
documents on screen before printing. Instead of making a health is mitigation. Explain.
copy for each person, route one copy around. Do not discard
2. Adaptation to climate change is as important as
one-sided printed pages; use them to make scratch pads. mitigation. Explain why?

Turn off televisions, videos, stereos and computers 3. List 10 key actions that you are prepared to do to
when they are not in use—they can consume between reduce your greenhouse gases emissions.
Annexes

Food for Thought (See answers on page 33)

1. In 2000, how many people, globally, have been estimated to die annually due to climate change?

a. 10 000 b. 20 000 c. 60 000 d. 160 000

2. How many people could be made homeless due to global warming by the year 2050?

a. 5 million b. 1 million c. 150 million d. 1 billion

3. How many people in Asia could be facing a major water shortage if current rates of carbon emissions continue?

a. 1 million b. 10 million c. 50 million d. 1 billion

4. Which lighting option produces the least amount of greenhouse gases?

a. Candles b. Compact fluorescent light bulbs c. Normal light bulb

5. If you turn your lights off when they are not in use you could save on average:

a. 10% of your energy bill b. 8% of your energy bill c. 15% of your energy bill
26 A Manual for Teachers

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 Annexes 27

Case Studies have no way of rebuilding. Estimations are that were the
Earth to warm by just one degree Celsius, 11% of Bangladesh
Case Study 1: Climate Change and would be submerged, putting the lives of 55 million people
Human Health: Responding to the in danger. The recently published Bangladesh National
new threat to global health security Adaptation Programme of Action recommends strategies
focusing on coastal forestation, provision of drinking water
At the Twenty-fifth Meeting of Ministers of Health in 2007 to coastal communities, education, the protection of urban
(Thimphu, Bhutan) the most important health authorities infrastructure, and scientific research and development to
in the South-East Asia Region concluded that climate protect crops.
change poses a major threat to health security, and
requested World Health Organization (WHO) to “support Case Study 3: Bhutan to address
the formulation of a regional strategy to combat the adverse adverse health impacts from climate
health impacts of climate change”. change
WHO’s is therefore supporting country programmes to Though Bhutan’s contribution to the total greenhouse
combat infectious disease, improve water and sanitation gases responsible for global warming has been very
services, respond to natural disasters, and is helping them small, or practically irrelevant, the country is currently
reduce health vulnerability to future climate change. The facing adverse impacts from climate change.
organization also works directly to build capacity to adapt l Since 2000, it reports unusually prolonged
to climate change. This includes workshops in the most droughts, erratic rainfall patterns, and floods.
vulnerable countries, to raise awareness of the health
l At least 25 glacial lakes have been identified
implications of climate change and related weather as posing a major risk of bursting, from excess
patterns, and to support intersectoral policies to reduce glacial melt water, in the near future.
health vulnerability, now.
l According to the International Center for
Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)
Such activities aim at improving health conditions today,
annual average glacial retreat of glaciers in the
while simultaneously laying the ground for more future
country has doubled from 20m to 40m since
adaptation measures to climate change. 1990.
l Two lakes are expected to burst in 2010 and
Case Study 2: Bangladesh is paying a extremely costly measures are needed to build
cruel price for the west’s excesses— spillways to protect the downstream riverside
excerpts communities and ecosystems.

By Veena Khaleque; December 7, 2006, The Guardian l Given that 80% of Bhutanese are subsistence
farmers, climate change will have direct
consequences on food security, health and
Bangladesh is one of the world’s largest deltas, formed by a
livelihoods.
dense network of 230 unstable rivers; most of the country is
less than 10 meters above sea level. It is also one of the poorest
countries in the world. A low economic capacity, inadequate Case Study 4: UN breakthrough on
infrastructure and a higher dependence on a natural- climate change reached in Bali
resource base exacerbate its vulnerability. Climate change IPCC, Bali, 15 December 2007. Source: http://unfccc.int/
in Bangladesh will take form in floods, salinity intrusion and
droughts, all of which will drastically affect crop productivity 187 country representatives gathered in Bali last
and food security. The last two decades have witnessed ever December and agreed to start negotiations towards a
more frequent and intense flooding. In 2004, 38% of our crucial, and strengthened, international climate change
country was ravaged by floods, which destroyed more than deal.
three quarters of crops, left 10 million people homeless, and
in their wake diseases such as dysentery and diarrhoea. The The decision includes a clear agenda for the key issues to
poor are hit hardest by climate change, and poverty forces be negotiated up to 2009. These are: action for adapting
people to live in makeshift homes; when disaster strikes they to the negative consequences of climate change, such
28 A Manual for Teachers

as droughts and floods; ways to reduce greenhouse United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
gas emissions; ways to widely deploy climate-friendly Change (UNFCCC). “Parties have recognized the urgency
technologies; and financing both adaptation, and of action on climate change, and have now provided the
mitigation, measures. political response to what scientists have been telling us
is needed,” he added.
Concluding negotiations in 2009 will ensure that the new
deal can enter into force by 2013, following the expiration While a new global deal is expected by 2013, countries
of the first phase of the Kyoto Protocol. also agreed on a number of steps that need to be
taken immediately to further implement the existing
Indonesian Environment Minister and President of the commitments of UNFCCC Parties. These issues are
conference Rachmat Witoelar said: “We now have a Bali particularly important for developing countries.
roadmap, we have an agenda and we have a deadline.
But we also have a huge task ahead of us and the time to The conference was attended by around 11 000
reach agreement is extremely short, so we need to move participants, among them the Secretary-General of the
quickly,” he added. United Nations and six Heads of State.

Earlier this year, the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Topics recap 5: Study of the annexes
Climate Change (IPCC) declared that the world’s average 1. What should be considered as priority actions to
temperature, if left unchecked, could rise by as much as reduce adverse human health impacts of climate
6 degrees Centigrade by the end of the century, causing change?
serious harm to economies, societies and ecosystems 2. Some say the issue of climate change is an ethical
worldwide. one. Explain why?
3. Has Bhutan initiated new programmes to address
“This is a real breakthrough, a real opportunity for the
the challenges posed by climate change?
international community to successfully fight climate
change,” said Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the 4. What were the main achievements at Bali in 2007?
 Annexes 29

Activities
Here is a brief outline for two interactive activities which Activity No. 2: Climate change and
should be conducted in the classroom with the help of vector-borne diseases
peer leaders to preserve student’s interest in ”Climate
Change and its Impact on Health” and also facilitate the Suggested time: 60 minutes
process of learning.
Objectives
Activity No. 1: Poster-making 1. Students will learn about vector-borne diseases.
Suggested time: 60 minutes 2. Students will understand how changing climate
Objectives affects the life-cycle of vectors.

1. Students will understand the concept of climate 3. Students will explore how social factors affect
change. the occurrence and spread of diseases.
2. Students will become aware of the impact of 4. Students will understand how they can contribute
climate change on health. to reduce vector-borne diseases.

Activities Day 1 Process and material required

Brain-storming session. Blackboard to note down the spontaneous responses of the
Ask the students, students to the questions.

1. What is climate change? (5 minutes) Complete the list of the weather events that climate change
will worsen (Heatwaves, disturbed rainfall, floods, droughts,
2. Why does it happen? (5 minutes) cyclones, sea level rise).
3. How does it impact on us? (5 minutes) Expand on the health aspects and relate the main six health
4. Which are the most important impacts on health? outcomes with the weather events (see relevant page of this
(10 minutes) manual):
Expected results: l Respiratory diseases; Malnutrition
1. It becomes clear to all that greenhouse gas emissions l Injuries; Diarrhoeal diseases
cause the problem and that global warming triggers l Dengue & Malaria; Psychosocial stress
climate change.
At the end of the session, distribute the photocopy of the table
2. The linkages between climate change and health are on page 18.
clear.
Announce the poster-making competition.

Activities Day 2 Process and material required

Topic for the poster-making competition: Draw a scene on Drawing sheets, pencil, erasers, crayons. The posters should be
climate change and a clear link to: collected and judged by the school staff as per scoring sheet:
l Respiratory diseases and/or l Is it a climate change related event?
l Malnutrition and/or l How well does the link with human health come out?
l Injuries and/or l Artistic value
l Diarrhoeal diseases and/or Keep the best posters for later use.
l Dengue and Malaria and/or
l Psychosocial stress
30 A Manual for Teachers

Activities Day 3 Material required

Inform students how diseases are spread by vectors. Use the information provided on page 14.
Discuss how climate change with warmer temperatures and Mention the following: Lack of personal protection (no bed nets,
erratic rainfall could create better breeding conditions for no mosquito coils); poor sanitation with water ponds ideal for
disease vectors. mosquito breeding; sick migrating people act as “reservoirs”
Discuss how displaced populations (climate change refugees) as they carry the disease inside themselves; health services
would contribute to the spread of vector-borne diseases. are unable to reach them; and displaced populations more
vulnerable.

Distribute the attached sheet and ask the students to match Photocopies of the worksheet. “Match the disease with its
the vectors with the diseases. vector” for each student.

Worksheet
Match the Disease to the Vectors
Disease Vector
1. Dengue fever l l Aedes mosquito
2. Dracunculiasis l l Anopheles mosquito
3. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome l l Black flies
4. Japanese encephalitis l l Culex mosquito
5. Malaria l l Culex mosquito
6. Leishmaniasis l l Culex mosquito
7. Lyme disease l l Culex mosquito
8. Onchocerciasis l l Mites
9. Plague l l Cyclops
10. Schistosomiasis l l Fleas and rodents
11. Scrub Thyphus l l Ticks
12. Yellow fever l l Sand flies

Answers to Match the Disease to the Vectors

Disease Vector
1. Dengue fever Aedes mosquito
2. Dracunculiasis Cyclops
3. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome Rodents
4. Japanese encephalitis Culex mosquito
5. Malaria Anopheles mosquito
6. Leishmaniasis Sand Flies
7. Lyme disease Tick
8. Onchocerciasis Black flies
9. Plague Fleas and rodents
10. Schistosomiasis Water snails
11. Scrub Thyphus Mites
12. Yellow fever Culex mosquito
 Annexes 31

Details about the diseases the most common tick-borne disease in North America
and Europe. In man, the disease is manifested by
rashes with a subsequent arthritis, neuropathological
Dengue fever
manifestations and cardiac involvement. It is also known
Dengue viruses are transmitted to humans through the as early summer meningoencephalitis.
bites of infected female Aedes mosquitoes. Mosquitoes
generally acquire the virus while feeding on the blood of Malaria
an infected person. After virus incubation for 8–10 days, an
infected mosquito is capable, during probing and blood Malaria is a parasitic infection transmitted to humans
feeding, of transmitting the virus to susceptible individuals through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
for the rest of its life. Dengue is found in tropical and sub- The resulting disease in humans can be devastating.
tropical regions around the world, predominantly in urban After spreading rapidly through the bloodstream to the
and semi-urban areas. Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), a liver, the parasite emerges again into the blood-stream,
potentially lethal complication, was first recognized in the finally to settle in the red blood cells, where it multiplies
1950s during the dengue epidemics in the Philippines and and emerges in bursts of new organisms. These parasites,
Thailand, but today DHF affects most Asian countries and because of their large numbers, can cause particular
has become a leading cause of hospitalization and death damage to the nervous system, liver and kidneys.
among children in several of them.
Onchocerciasis (River Blindness)
Dracunculiasis
This parasitic disease caused by the filarial worm
Dracunculiasis is an infection due to a nematode worm. It is Onchocerciasis Volvulus. It is transmitted through the bites
caused by drinking water containing water fleas (Cyclops). of infected black flies of Simulium species.
It is also known as Guinea worm disease (GWD).
Plague
Japanese Encephalitis (je)
Plague is an infectious disease of rodents and humans
JE is a disease caused by Flavivirus and transmitted by caused by a bacterium named Yersinia pestis. People
bites of Culex mosquitoes. The virus is maintained in get plague from being bitten by the oriental rat flea.
nature by mosquitoes and non-human vertebrates, and Xenopsylla cheopis carrying this bacterium. Bubonic
humans become accidentally involved. Pigs can carry the plague occurs naturally in Indonesia, India and
JE virus. JE has made part of Asia as its home. Outbreaks Madagascar. Pneumonic plague can be transmitted
are reported during rainy season. Vaccination of children directly from human to human.
in endemic areas is important for prevention.
Schistosomiasis
Leishmaniasis
Schistosomiasis, or Bilharzia, is a parasitic disease
This is a disease caused by protozoan parasites that caused by trematode flatworms of the genus
belong to the genus Leishmania and is transmitted by Schistosoma. Larval forms of the parasites, which are
the bite of sand flies, namely Lutzomyia and Phlebotomus. released by freshwater snails, penetrate the skin of
There are three forms of leishmaniasis: cutaneous, muco people in the water. In the body, the larvae develop
cutaneous and visceral. Dogs, rodents and squirrels may into adult schistosomes, which live in the blood vessels.
act as animal reserviors for cutaneous leishmaniasis. This The females release eggs, some of which are passed
disease is also known as kala-azar. out of the body in the urine or faeces. Others are
trapped in body tissues, causing an immune reaction.
Lyme Disease In urinary schistosomiasis, there is progressive damage
to the bladder, urethras and kidneys. In intestinal
Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia schistosomiasis, there is progressive enlargement of the
burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans by the bite of liver and spleen, intestinal damage, and hypertension
infected black-legged ticks or deer ticks. Lyme disease is of the abdominal blood vessels.
32 A Manual for Teachers

Scrub Typhus main route of human infection is through the bite of an

A zoonotic infection, first described from Japan, now infected mosquito.
known to occur over most of southeastern Asia, India,
Maldives and Sri Lanka. Larvae of the vector mites, Yellow Fever
known as chiggers (the only parasitic stage in the life
cycle of the mites), acquire the infection by feeding Yellow fever is a viral disease that has caused large epidemics
on infected rodents. A lesion or “eschar” develops at in Africa and the Americas. Monkeys are natural reservoirs.
the site of the infected chigger bite in most human It can be recognized from historic texts stretching back 400
cases. years. Infection causes a wide spectrum of disease, from
mild symptoms to severe illness and death. The “yellow” in
West Nile Virus the name is explained by the jaundice that affects some
patients. Although an effective vaccine has been available
This is a virus of the family Flaviviridae; part of the for 60 years, the number of people infected over the last
Japanese Encephalitis (JE) antigenic complex of viruses, two decades has increased and yellow fever is now a
it is found in both tropical and temperate regions. The serious public health issue again.
Glossary

Adaptation: Adjustment in natural or human systems to greenhouse gas which affects the Earth’s radiative
a new or changing environment. Adaptation to climate balance and the reference gas against which other
change refers to adjustment in response to actual or greenhouse gases are measured. In March 2006, CO2
expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates levels stood at 381 parts per million (ppm)—100ppm
harm or exploits beneficial opportunities. Various types of above the pre-industrial average.
adaptation can be distinguished, including anticipatory
and reactive adaptation, public and private adaptation, Carbon footprint is the measure of the amount of carbon
and autonomous and planned adaptation. Successful dioxide or CO2 emitted through the combustion of fossil
adaptation builds on local knowledge, local capacity and fuels in carrying out a process or makes a product. The
willingness to act. scope of a carbon footprint analysis can vary and may/
may not include all GHGs. When it includes all GHGs, the
Anthropogenic Climate Change: Anthropogenic means footprint is expressed as a “CO2 equivalent units”. It is key
“human-made”. In the context of climate change it refers for measuring the performance of the corporate sector.
to greenhouse gases, or emissions that are produced as The carbon footprint for an individual reflects activities
the result of human activities. These include fossil fuel under her/his control—eg. home energy use, personal
burning for energy, deforestation and land use changes transport and consumption patterns.
that result in net increase in emissions.
Carbon Sink is the natural mechanism that removes
Atmosphere: The gaseous cover surrounding the Earth. carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, such as the
The dry atmosphere consists almost entirely of nitrogen absorption of carbon dioxide by growing trees and/ or
and oxygen, together with a number of trace gases such as protecting existing forests.
argon, helium and radiatively active greenhouse gases such
as carbon dioxide, methane and ozone. In addition, the Climate change: Refers to a statistically significant
atmosphere contains water vapor, clouds, and aerosols. variation in either the mean state of the climate or in its
variability, persisting for an extended period (typically
Biofuels: Fuels made from cellulosic biomass resources. decades or longer). Climate change may be due to
Biofuels include ethanol, biodiesel, and methanol. Replacing natural internal processes or external forcings, or to
fossil fuels with biofuels for energy production could bring persistent anthropogenic changes in the composition of
environmental and health benefits by lowering greenhouse the atmosphere. The UNFCC defines climate change as ‘a
gas emissions. But using land to produce biofuels essentially change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly
competes with using land for food production. Also to human activity that alters the composition of the global
converting rainforests, peatlands, savannas, or grasslands to atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate
produce food-based biofuels could release up to 420 times variability observed over comparable time periods’.
more CO2 than the annual GHG reductions these biofuels
provide by displacing fossil fuels. El Niño: A term used to describe the extensive warming
of the central and eastern Pacific that leads to a major
Carbon dioxide (CO2): A naturally occurring gas as well shift in weather patterns across the Pacific. The 1997–98
as a by-product of burning fossil fuels and land-use El Niño had significant social and economic implications
changes and other industrial processes. It is the principal for Indonesia.
34 A Manual for Teachers

Greenhouse Effect: Natural and human-made long-term risk to human life, property, and function from
(anthropogenic) gases in the atmosphere that absorb and the hazards of climate change. Without good and early
emit infrared or heat radiation, causing the greenhouse mitigation, the difficulty and costs of adaptation will
effect. grow rapidly.

Greenhouse gases (GHGs): Those gases in the National Adaptation Programmes of Action: NAPAs
atmosphere which absorb and emit radiation at specific provide a process to identify priority activities that
wavelengths within the spectrum of infrared radiation respond to their urgent and immediate needs with
emitted by the Earth’s surface, the atmosphere and regard to adaptation to climate change. The NAPA takes
clouds. Water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, into account existing coping strategies at the grassroots
methane and ozone are the primary greenhouse gases level, and builds upon that to identify priority activities,
in the atmosphere. Methane warms the earth 23 times rather than focusing on scenario-based modeling to
and nitrous oxide 296 times as much as the same mass assess future vulnerability and long-term policy at
of CO2. state level. In the NAPA process, prominence is given
to community-level input as an important source of
Global Warming: An increase in the average temperature information, recognizing that grassroots communities
of the earth’s atmosphere, especially a sustained increase are the main stakeholders.
sufficient to cause climatic change.
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): (UNFCCC): Convention signed at United Nations
A group of experts established in 1988 by the World Conference on Environment and Development in 1992.
Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Governments that become Parties to the Convention
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Its role is agree to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the
to assess the scientific, technical and socio-economic atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous
information relevant for the understanding of the risk of anthropogenic interference with the climate system.
human induced climate change, based mainly on peer
reviewed and published scientific/technical literature. UNFCCC Nairobi Work Programme: The NWP is an
international framework developed to help countries
Kyoto Protocol/UNFCCC: The internationally binding improve their understanding of climate change impacts
agreement under the UNFCCC that set GHG targets for and vulnerability and to increase their ability to make
signatories to abide by. Drawn up in 1997 and came into informed decisions on how to adapt successfully.
effect in 2005, it requires developed countries to reduce
emissions by 5 percent, compared with 1990 levels, by Vulnerability: The degree to which a system is susceptible
2012. Most of the world’s countries agreed to the Protocol, to, or unable to cope with, adverse effects of climate
but some nations chose not to ratify it. change, including climate variability and extremes.
Vulnerability is a function of the character, magnitude and
Mitigation: In the context of climate change, it is any rate of climate variation to which a system is exposed, its
action taken to permanently eliminate or reduce the sensitivity and its adaptive capacity.

Answers to “Food for Thought”

1. According to WHO an estimated total of 160 000 people died as a direct result of climate change. This is due
to an increase in frequency of natural disasters such as heat waves and floods.
2. One billion people would be made homeless due to global warming by the year 2050.
3. In Central, South, East, and South-East Asia freshwater availability is projected to decrease, which along
with population growth and increasing demand from higher standards of living, could adversely affect
more than 1 billion people by the 2050s.
4. Fluorescent light bulbs are the most energy efficient, whereas candles when burnt release carbon dioxide directly.
5. If you turn your lights off when they are not in use you could save on average 10% of your energy bill.
 Glossary 35

Some useful web links for educational materials on climate change

http://epa.gov/climatechange/kids/index.html
http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/index.cfm
http://climatechangeeducation.org/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4123884.stm
http://managenergy.net/kidscorner/en/o11/o11.html
http://tiki.oneworld.net/global_warming/climate_home.html
http://www.town4kids.com/town4kids/kids/science/environment
http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/gwci/households.html
http://edugreen.teri.res.in/explore/climate/change.htm
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
Protecting Health from Climate Change Protecting Health from Climate Change
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