Skip Navigation

Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal Climate change and adaptation needs

Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal

Mahrenholz P
2008
Parasitology Research. 103 (Suppl 1): S139-146

Observations confirm that climate is changing and it is projected to continue changing rapidly. Adaptation is needed to mitigate the projected adverse impacts of climate change, such as climate-change-related exposures which could affect the health status of many people. Climate projections for this century are available with a high spatial and time resolution. But they are afflicted with uncertainties because of the unknown future emissions of greenhouse gases as well as natural variability and the imperfect understanding of climate science and modelling. The evaluation of climate impacts further increases the uncertainty of the result. Is it justified to act on the basis of uncertain climate information? The results of climate models often differ slightly but they show robust and one-to-one trends in the future development. A quantitative or qualitative estimation of the probability of the climate projection facilitates the appraisal of the climate projection. In accordance with the precautionary principle, stakeholders should act in order to mitigate adverse effects of climate change even under the conditions of uncertainty for instance by using methods of risk assessment and risk management. The inclusion of uncertainties should be a part of this risk assessment process.

Expand Abstract

Resource Description

    Air Pollution, Ecosystem Change, Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster, Food Security, Glacier Melt/Snow Melt, Precipitation, Temperature, Water Quality
    • Air Pollution, Ecosystem Change, Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster, Food Security, Glacier Melt/Snow Melt, Precipitation, Temperature, Water Quality: Drought, Hurricane
    • Air Pollution, Ecosystem Change, Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster, Food Security, Glacier Melt/Snow Melt, Precipitation, Temperature, Water Quality: Cold, Heat, Variability
    • Air Pollution, Ecosystem Change, Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster, Food Security, Glacier Melt/Snow Melt, Precipitation, Temperature, Water Quality: Other Water Quality, Specify
      • Other Water Quality, Specify: Ocean acidity
      Water quality issue (other)
    General Geographic Feature
    Non-United States
    • Non-United States: Europe
    Cardiovascular Impact, Infectious Disease, Morbidity/Mortality, Respiratory Impact
    • Cardiovascular Impact, Infectious Disease, Morbidity/Mortality, Respiratory Impact: Vectorborne Disease
      • Vectorborne Disease: Fly-borne Disease, Mosquito-borne Disease, Tick-borne Disease
        • Fly-borne Disease, Mosquito-borne Disease, Tick-borne Disease: Leishmaniasis
        • Fly-borne Disease, Mosquito-borne Disease, Tick-borne Disease: Malaria, West Nile Virus
        • Fly-borne Disease, Mosquito-borne Disease, Tick-borne Disease: Lyme Disease, Tick-borne Encephalitis
        Fly-borne DiseaseMosquito-borne DiseaseTick-borne Disease
      Vectorborne Disease
    Cost/Economic Impact Prediction, Exposure Change Prediction, Methodology
    Long-Term (>10 years)
    Research Article, Review Article
    Adaptation, Communication
    • Adaptation, Communication: Adaptation Co-Benefit/Co-Harm
    • Adaptation, Communication: Policymaker
    Special Report on Emissions Scenario (SRES), Other Socioeconomic Scenario, Specify
Back
to Top