Global warming and public health: An appeal for coordinated and early action
- Howard Univ., Washington, DC (United States). Dept. of Anatomy
Since global warming and ozone deletion would occur over a long period of time, their adverse effects on public health may not be reversible. Therefore, more research is needed now to understand the complex and interacting issues of climate change and human health. Policy makers need to recognize the seriousness of the problem and, thus, the importance of increasing the level of funding for research and public education concerning health effects of climate change. Today, however, human influences are exerting major impacts on the environment and these influences are rebounding negatively upon them. Future climate change, including global warming, is real and unavoidable. Unfortunately, man has no assurances of the rate, the degree, the direction or the site of any specific change in climate. However, man may infer from past experiences with unexpected and acute episodes of local or regional warming that public health emergencies are likely to arise. Climate changes, in part, are driven by human influence and it will take several decades before their impacts on human health can be appreciated fully. Global climate change is likely to alter radically the distribution as well as the incidence of human illness. Exactly how and where these illnesses may appear is unpredictable. However, anticipating and preparing for the eventuality of these health threats would be both wise and prudent behavior.
- OSTI ID:
- 6881185
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-930415--
- Journal Information:
- World Resource Review; (United States), Journal Name: World Resource Review; (United States) Vol. 5:4; ISSN WRRVE5; ISSN 1042-8011
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
CLIMATIC CHANGE
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
GREENHOUSE GASES
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
LAYERS
OZONE LAYER