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

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ARAB ENVIRONMENT: CLIMATE CHANGE 97 that location (size <strong>of</strong> population, available resources, potential hazards, number <strong>of</strong> people killed by malaria in a given year). This would allow different kinds <strong>of</strong> information to be linked for each time and place, the mapping <strong>of</strong> modifying factors and outcomes in space and time as well as trends in exposure, and the analysis <strong>of</strong> these sets <strong>of</strong> information relating to the same place at a given time. Such activities would allow Arab countries to have a robust database within a period <strong>of</strong> a few years. 2) Research Research is needed to assess climatic changes and related health impacts in the Arab world. This will allow countries to better identify vulnerabilities and to evaluate the respective country’s capacity to adapt to climate change. It is needed to estimate the burden and cost <strong>of</strong> climate change; information which might be necessary to convince governments to allocate budgets for mitigation and adaptation measures and further national research in the field. Arab scientists are called upon to pool their expertise and resources and collaborate in defining a regional research agenda on climate change and health while accommodating sub-regional and national priorities. Priority research topics may include: • Heat and health (especially in countries with hot summers): Factors relating to the adaptive capacity <strong>of</strong> vulnerable populations and the role <strong>of</strong> socio-economic conditions should be investigated. Longitudinal studies over extended periods <strong>of</strong> time may be the preferred type <strong>of</strong> studies in this case. • Aeroallergens: This is especially needed as desertification is on the rise. Research here could also focus on the development <strong>of</strong> early warning systems for populations, especially the vulnerable and those with a predisposition. Weather reports could - for example- routinely include an analysis <strong>of</strong> air pollutants and aeroallergens. • Malaria transmission: Despite the strong association between malaria expansion and changes in the transmission season (which may be caused by climate change), a number <strong>of</strong> uncertainties still exist about how climate change will affect malaria. These uncertainties are mainly related to the complexity <strong>of</strong> malaria dynamics and the scarcity <strong>of</strong> historical data in relation to climate change, in addition to the role <strong>of</strong> socioeconomic factors and other factors in the development <strong>of</strong> disease. So far, in spite <strong>of</strong> its endemicity in the region, only little research in the Arab region exists on the topic. Mapping the disease in time and space and analyzing patterns <strong>of</strong> presence versus absence is less data intensive than other methods and can therefore be used in countries where vector borne diseases are a health risk and whose research capabilities are limited. • Water quality in coastal cities: The rise in sea water levels and increase <strong>of</strong> seawater intrusion into coastal aquifers threaten the quality <strong>of</strong> drinking water. A case in point is the city <strong>of</strong> Gaza where over-pumping has already caused seawater intrusion into freshwater coastal aquifers (Al-Ghuraiz and Enshassi, 2006). GIS is an important tool in assessing the impact <strong>of</strong> climate change on health generally and on infectious diseases particularly. 3) Adapting health systems Health systems in the Arab world need to be adapted and prepared to respond to the consequences <strong>of</strong> climate change. Building the capacity <strong>of</strong> the health sector is a long-term commitment which requires sound technical and managerial programs. The key issue is not to develop a separate system for each type <strong>of</strong> hazard but to build capacities within the health sector to face all types <strong>of</strong> risks emanating from climate change. This requires that all stakeholders in health (Ministry <strong>of</strong> Public Health, health-related governmental and non-governmental organizations, private health facilities, international health agencies and pr<strong>of</strong>essional associations) be involved and prepared. Furthermore, preparedness <strong>of</strong> the health systems requires a multisectoral approach and coordination between all involved sectors, such as public works, transport, social services, housing, urban planning, water and electricity, is essential. 4) Capacity building The above elements <strong>of</strong> a public health prepared-
98 CHAPTER 7 HUMAN HEALTH ness system require a strong basis <strong>of</strong> training and capacity building for policy makers, scientists, and health pr<strong>of</strong>essionals in disaster management, research, data collection and monitoring, and response to health emergencies. It also involves raising awareness among the general population, especially vulnerable populations. IV. CONCLUDING REMARKS Despite the deficiency in both data and research, there is growing evidence that climate change is contributing to the global burden <strong>of</strong> disease in Arab countries. The limited research available has shown that climate change plays an important role in the spread <strong>of</strong> vector-borne infectious diseases, such as malaria and schistosomiasis (Egypt, Morocco and Sudan), in affecting the seasonal concentrations <strong>of</strong> some allergens in the atmosphere, causing allergic reactions and pulmonary diseases (Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and UAE), and in the worsening <strong>of</strong> the public health impact <strong>of</strong> heat waves especially in Arab countries with hot climates. Earlier in the chapter, the authors noted that poorer Arab countries currently carry the largest burden <strong>of</strong> the health impact <strong>of</strong> climate change. Some may question the contribution <strong>of</strong> climate change to this burden as compared to that <strong>of</strong> poverty and people’s suboptimal living conditions. This delineation <strong>of</strong> contribution might be an interesting research question but as far as policy is concerned there is enough evidence for action-oriented policies to counteract the effects <strong>of</strong> climate change with special attention to the poorer populations. This is all the more so since health is central to sustainable development and to the achievement <strong>of</strong> the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). If Arab countries are to achieve the MDGs and counteract the adverse effects <strong>of</strong> climate change, then various adaptation strategies, policies and measures need to be implemented. Reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the shift towards renewable energies and increases in energy efficiency will yield significant long term benefits for human health. There is no shortage <strong>of</strong> human resources or global and regional financial resources in the Arab world. What is needed now is the will to act. REFERENCES Adam, I., A.H. Khamis, and M.I. Elbashir (2005). ‘Prevalence and risk factors for Plasmodium falciparum malaria in pregnant women <strong>of</strong> eastern Sudan’. Malaria Journal 4:18. Ageep, T.B., J. Cox,, M.M. Hassan, B.G. Knols, M.Q. Benedict, C.A. Malcolm, A. Babiker, B.B. El Sayed (2009). ‘Spatial and temporal distribution <strong>of</strong> the malaria mosquito Anopheles arabiensis in northern Sudan: influence <strong>of</strong> environmental factors and implications for vector control’. Malaria Journal 8(1):123. Al-Ajam, M. R., A.R. Bizri, J. Mokhbat, J. Weedon, and L. Lutwick (2005). ‘Short report: Mucormycosis in the Eastern Mediterranean: A seasonal disease’. Epidemiological Infection 134(2):341-346. Al-Frayh, A., S.M. Hasnain, D.J. Wilson, and H.A. Harfi (1988). ‘Fungal Allergens in the atmosphere <strong>of</strong> Riyadh: A preliminary communication’. Annals <strong>of</strong> Saudi Medicine 8(4):248-251. Al-Ghuraiz, Y. and A. Enshassi (2006). ‘Customer’s satisfaction with water supply service in the Gaza Strip’. Building and Environment 41(9):1243-1250. Al-Mansoob, M.A. and M.M. Al-Mazzah (2005). ‘The role <strong>of</strong> climate on Malaria Incidence Rate in four governorates <strong>of</strong> Yemen’. Medical Journal <strong>of</strong> Malaysia. 60(3):349-57. Anwar, W.A. (2003). ‘Environmental health in Egypt’. International Journal <strong>of</strong> Hygiene and Environmental Health 206(4/5):339-350. Al-Taiar, A., J. Shabbar, A. Assabri, M. Al-Hobary, A. Azazy, N. Al-Mahdi, K. Ameen, B.M. Greenwood, and C.J.M. Whitty (2006). ‘Severe malaria in children in Yemen: two site observational study’. BMJ. 333:827 Al-Taiar, A., J. Shabbar, A. Assabri, M. Al-Hobary, A. Azazy, A. Al-Gabri, M. Al-Ganadi, B. Attal, and C.J.M. Whitty (2008). ‘Who develops severe malaria- <strong>Impact</strong> <strong>of</strong> access to healthcare, socio-economic and environmental factors in Yemen: a case-control study’. Tropical Medicine & International Health 13(6):762- 770. Al-Tawheed, A.R., K.A. Al-Awadi, E.O. Kehinde, H. Abdul-Halim, A. Al-Hunayan, Y. Ali, A.H. Mohammed (2003). ‘Anuria secondary to hot weather-induced
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XII INTRODUCTION A number o
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XIV INTRODUCTION nology cooperation
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XVI INTRODUCTION The respondents to
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XVIII INTRODUCTION activities based
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XX INTRODUCTION by climate change.
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XXII INTRODUCTION REGIONAL CLIMATE
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CHAPTER 1 1 Arab Public Opinion and
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CHAPTER 2 13 GHG Emissions: Mitigat
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CHAPTER 3 31 A Remote Sensing Study
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156 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS CNA
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158 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS MENA
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