Small Island Developing States: Climate and Health Effects

1. Small Island Developing States: Climate and Health Effects Joan L. Aron, Ph.D. Earth Technologies Forum Washington, DC April 22-24, 2003

2. Alliance of Small Island States “Perhaps when the human health costs are appreciated and added to the material costs and environmental damages faced by small island States a new spirit of cooperation and partnership will emerge.” His Excellency Tuiloma Neroni Slade Ambassador of Samoa to the United Nations Chairman, Alliance of Small Island States Barbados, May 21, 2002

3. Alliance of Small Island States • AOSIS: Coalition of small island and low-lying coastal countries • Africa, Caribbean, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, Pacific, South China Sea • Issues of environment and development • Vulnerability to the adverse effects of global climate change SEA LEVEL RISE CHANGES IN RAINFALL REGIMES

4. Small Island Developing States Factors increasing vulnerability • Small physical size • Surrounded by large expanses of ocean • Relative isolation • Limited natural resources • Growing populations • Exposure to damaging natural disasters • Low economic diversification • Limited funds, human resources, skills

5. Global Climate ChangeSea level rise • Displacement of coastal communities • Disturbance of agricultural activity • Coastal erosion, beach loss, decline in tourism • Intrusion of sea water into freshwater aquifers

6. Multiple Time ScalesSea level rise Sea level rise (long time scale) Increased vulnerability to storm surges, coastal flooding Storm event (short time scale)

7. Global Climate ChangeThreat of sea level rise

8. Hurricane Lenny Eastern Caribbean

9. Global Climate ChangeChanges in rainfall regimes • Prospect of more frequent droughts and floods in tropical ocean regions in which small island states are located • Water supply is a major concern • Experience of small island states is a microcosm of the global picture • International Year of Freshwater 2003

10. Water ResourcesGlobal issue International Year of Freshwater 2003

11. Multiple Time ScalesChanges in rainfall regimes • The El Niño/Southern Oscillation ( ENSO ) affects global weather patterns, cycling every two to seven years. • Rainfall regimes shift. • Floods or droughts • Responses to ENSO help to reduce adverse impacts of climate on health.

12. ENSO 1997-1998Drought in Pacific Islands

13. ENSO 1997-1998Drought in Pacific Islands • More skin disease in FSM, Marshalls • Poor air quality from wildfires in Guam, Pohnpei, Yap, Palau • Relief food shipments • Information campaign reduced incidence of diarrheal disease in Pohnpei hospital • Water storage and conservation • Many diseases under study ( dengue, ... )

14. Regional InteractionsAfrican dust in the Caribbean

15. Regional InteractionsAfrican dust in the Caribbean • African dust is transported in the atmosphere across the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean. • Drought conditions in Africa have led to increasing amounts of dust over the past few decades. • Ongoing studies probe the effects of dust on human health, coral reefs, agriculture and livestock.

16. Regional InteractionsRiver outflows from S. America

17. Regional InteractionsRiver outflows from S. America • Massive kills of reef fish from Trinidad & Tobago to Barbados - July to October 1999 • Freshwater bacterium Streptococcus iniae isolated from dead and dying fish • High rainfall in northern S. America in 1999 • Large quantities of fresh water from Amazon and Orinoco river basins • Lower salinities, higher temperatures, unusual reverse currents in the Caribbean

18. Climate and Small Island StatesPublic health response “Ministries of Health should play a central role in this response -- but should also remember that finding enduring solutions will depend on inter-sectoral communication and convergence.” Professor Tony McMichael Director, National Centre of Epidemiology and Population Health Australian National University Barbados, May 21, 2002

19. Inter-Agency Network on Climate and Human Health • World Health Organization • World Meteorological Organization • United Nations Environment Programme and their regional offices

20. Inter-Agency Network Workshops in small island states • Pacific Ocean: Apia, Samoa, 2000 • WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific • WMO Subregional Office for the South Pacific • Caribbean Sea: St. Philip, Barbados, 2002 • Pan American Health Organization • Office of Caribbean Program Coordination • UNEP Regional Office for Latin Amer. & Carib. • Indian Ocean: Maldives, 2003 ( planned ) • WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia

21. Principal Partners in Caribbean Meeting on Barbados Barbados Ministries Health; Physical Development & Environment Caribbean Organizations CPACC; CEHI; CAREC; CIMH U.S. Donors EPA; NOAA; NASA Canadian Donors Health; Environment

22. Caribbean Climate and Health WHO report

23. Small island statesNext steps in climate and health • Recommendations from workshop participants for enhancing awareness, using data, and strengthening institutions • Coordination of sharing of information and networking of regional organizations • Maldives workshop • Guidelines for national vulnerability and adaptation assessments of health impacts of climate change

24. Sunset in Barbados