Disease

The interaction between ocean and climate has many impacts on disease. Global warming and extreme weather can cause drought and floods that destroy crops and pollute wells. Ocean currents can distribute persistent pollutants that corrupt the marine food supply. Inundation of coastal communities can disrupt and dislocate tens of thousands of refugees with inevitable disasterous consequence for their health and survival. Moreover, the destruction of marine habitat and resources such as coral reefs deprives us of the future capacity to discover novel species, new drugs and cures for the treatment or eradication of disease.

Present Situation

It is estimated that climate change contributes to 150,000 deaths and 5 million illnesses each year; this site examines the infectious disease aspects of global warming.
This WHO web publication describes the process of global climate change, its current and future impacts on human health, and how our societies can lessen those adverse impacts, via adaptation...
Dr. Epstein, associate director of the Center for Health and the Global Environment discusses the effects of climate change on human health.
This World Health Organization Documentary examines the threats to human health from global climate change.

Solutions

http://video.who.int/streaming/climate_change/climate_change_tve_2.wmv

Nov 19, '09 14:49 EST Pneill
Changing weather patterns and conditions have also led to new distribution of insects, prime carriers of disease. Studies have provided evidence...
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