Impact of Climate Change on Arab Countries - (IPCC) - Working ...

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CHAPTER 7
HUMAN HEALTH
- Diseases transmitted by rodents: These too
tend to increase during heavy rainfall and
flooding because rainfall and flooding increase
the number <strong>of</strong> rodents. A good illustration
would be the Hantavirus Pulmonary
Syndrome (IPCC, 2007).
III. ADAPTATION PRACTICES
The vulnerability <strong>of</strong> human health to climate
change is a function <strong>of</strong> three factors: sensitivity
which is a measure <strong>of</strong> the extent to which health,
natural systems, and social systems are sensitive to
climate change as well as the characteristics <strong>of</strong> the
population; exposure to climate related hazards;
and adaptation measures which are the measures
applied to reduce the burden <strong>of</strong> a specific adverse
health outcome. Arab countries may be low direct
contributors to climate change but they are at
high risk <strong>of</strong> its consequences, especially as it
relates to health risks. Consequently, Arab countries
must take adaptive measures to reduce the
burden <strong>of</strong> disease or other related negative health
outcomes related to climate change (Kovats,
2003). Those populations who do not or cannot
adapt will be the most vulnerable to climate
change.
Mitigation measures are implemented at multiple
levels to prevent ‘disasters’ or minimize their
impact. In the case <strong>of</strong> heat waves, for example,
mitigation measures include adopting building
designs that take into consideration future heat
waves due to climate change especially in Arab
cities, such as in the United Arab Emirates and
the Sultanate <strong>of</strong> Oman, which are expanding at a
very fast pace. Buildings should limit the frequency,
intensity, and duration <strong>of</strong> high-temperature
episodes. As cities grow and merge so do their
heat islands. Urban heat islands in large Arab
cities can be reduced through urban planning and
environmental preservation such as reducing
automobile use, enhancing public transportation,
planting trees, protecting biodiversity, and the
like. Encouraging more environmentally sustainable
development by reducing dependence on
cars, and cutting wasteful resource and energy use
is a needed policy. Heat wave warning systems to
warn the population about upcoming heat waves
are also recommended. However, the effectiveness
<strong>of</strong> warning systems for extreme events
depends on individuals’ awareness and their willingness
to take appropriate action. Individuals
can reduce their exposure by adjusting outdoor
activity, modifying indoor air temperature, or
dressing properly. In the case <strong>of</strong> other hazards or
geographic contexts, such as floods, community
awareness and preparedness becomes very important
if it is technically or financially difficult to
construct flood embankments or create new flood
overflow routes.
It is necessary that Arab countries implement
measures at the country and regional levels in
public health preparedness to face such calamities.
In fact, such measures are still a priority to
this region regardless <strong>of</strong> climate change considerations.
A preparedness plan must address the
three phases <strong>of</strong> a disaster: pre-disaster phase (e.g.,
mitigation; awareness; warning systems), disaster
phase (e.g., response; health care facilities), and
post-disaster phase (e.g., rehabilitation; long term
impact; evaluation). At a minimum, the elements
<strong>of</strong> a public health preparedness system must
include the following:
1) Hazard mapping
This is a crucial element <strong>of</strong> any preparedness plan
where at-risk areas and vulnerable populations are
clearly mapped. At-risk areas include arid lands,
coastal cities prone to sea-level rise, areas around
dams and irrigation projects, and overcrowded
cities. Vulnerable populations include poor people
who most likely have poor health with high
infant mortality rates and low life expectancies,
and tend to reside in areas or houses that are most
vulnerable to climate change. The latter was illustrated
in the latest flooding episode in Yemen
which mainly affected the poorer populations.
Populations in Arab countries that rely on nonirrigated
agriculture are also likely to be vulnerable
to climate change. Nomadic tribes living in
the Sahara in North Africa and the Gulf area are
also likely to be vulnerable to climate change.
Such information will help policy makers determine
priorities and decide on the adequate provision
and distribution <strong>of</strong> resources, including
health care resources and facilities. Geographical
Information Systems (GIS) are an important tool
in this endeavour. GIS links together geographical
information (such as geographic coordinates
<strong>of</strong> a specific point or the outline <strong>of</strong> an administrative
region) to some relevant information about