Your Health and a Changing Climate Newsletter, Volume 5, December 2006

Impacts and Adaptation Research

Creation of the Ouranos Health Program

A new program dedicated to the impact of climate change on health and adaptation to climate change was officially launched at Ouranos, after being approved by the Executive Board on June 9, 2006. Ouranos is a research consortium created in 2001 that specializes in regional climatology and adaptation to climate change, with a focus on Quebec, but also active nationally and internationally (see  www.ouranos.ca). This multidisciplinary consortium is made up of about 250 scientists from ten provincial and federal government departments, one Crown corporation (Hydro-Québec) and four universities. Until now, health aspects were under the umbrella of the Impacts on Society and Environment Program. However, owing to the scope of the issues, creation of a program specifically on health issues was seen to be necessary. This program is co-ordinated by Pierre Gosselin, a physician and researcher at the Quebec public health institute, the Institut national de santé publique (INSPQ). Dr. Gosselin has been in charge of the Ouranos health component since 2004. The program is built around five major themes: heat waves and warming; other climate extremes; air quality; water quality; and integration, communication and strategic support. Under it there are ten projects involving about forty researchers and collaborators. The table is a summary presentation of the ten projects planned for the 2006-2009 period. The program's financial partners, besides Ouranos and INSPQ, are Quebec's Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec (MSSS) [health and social services department], Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, Environment Canada, the GEOIDE network and the Climate Change Action Fund. Other, in-kind contributions will be provided by some of the province's public health departments (Montreal, Laval, Quebec City) and researchers from McGill University, Université Laval and INRS-ETE. The total value of these projects is about $2.3 million over three years, including cash and in-kind contributions.

New Health and Climate Change Projects in Quebec

THEME

HEAT WAVES AND WARMING

1. Additional historical analyses of hospital morbidity, emergency room visits and general mortality on the basis of historical temperatures and simulated temperatures for the 2020, 2050 and 2080 horizons
2. Establishment of expert panels to assess the measures required for adaptation to climate warming: institutional and clinical components
3. Identification of sectors vulnerable to intense heat in a Canadian metropolis with a view to targeted public health studies and interventions

OTHER CLIMATE EXTREMES

1. Feasibility study for development of real-time/deferred-time tools for monitoring the health effects of extreme climate events

AIR QUALITY

1. Estimation of future smog levels using AURAMS and the Canadian Regional Climate Model (CRCM)
2. Fine spatial variations in mortality and hospitalizations with climate extremesin urban areas

WATER QUALITY

1. Feasibility study of projects related to water management on the basis of the current Ouranos water projects
2. The incidence and distribution of gastro-intestinal illness in at-risk populations and risk factors associated with climate and agricultural practices

INTEGRATION, COMMUNICATION AND STRATEGIC SUPPORT

1. Development of an interactive atlas of health vulnerabilities associated with climate change
2. Integration, dissemination, knowledge transfer and support activities for the operations of Ouranos, Quebec's Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux [health and social services department] and its network, Health Canada and WHO
   

Two Atlantic Coastal Communities Prepare for Storm Surges - Spring 2006

A research project co-ordinated by Health Canada, Quebec Region, and the Climate Change and Health Office (CCHO) and funded by Health Canada - CCHO and by Natural Resources Canada has enabled two coastal communities to test their emergency response plans to better prepare for an increased frequency of storm surges exacerbated by climate change. The two communities involved are Shédiac/Cap-Pelé, New Brunswick, and Channel-Port-aux-Basques, Newfoundland.

Recent research has shown that Canada's coastal areas are vulnerable to climate change, mainly in relation to the rising sea level, storm activity and sea ice changes.It is predicted that not only will storms occur more frequently, but more intense storms may occur together with high tides, resulting in extreme water levels and flooding.

Storm surges are a dangerous aspect of coastal storms. They can affect the biophysical and socio-economic environments of the coastal areas and their communities, and they can disturb various industries such as fisheries, transportation, tourism and recreation, as well as the health of the population.

This simulation project made it possible to assess the capacity of two Atlantic coastal communities to deal with and adapt to extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change. In particular, it enabled the participants to test their emergency management plans, and it allowed Health Canada to develop a better understanding of the vulnerability of coastal communities to climate change.

The project involved two-day simulation exercises in which representatives of municipalities, police and fire departments, health centres, hospitals, provincial governments, federal government and non-profit organizations actively participated. The exercises were successful and enabled the participants to network, better understand the potential impact of such an event, and identify the vulnerable geographical areas and groups. They also made it possible to identify shortcomings in the emergency management plans and improve future collaboration among stakeholders.

A series of recommendations were developed for the communities. They concern updating of the communities' emergency management plans, more frequent training sessions and exercises, better management of information, and the identification of some short- and long-term human health issues. By anticipating climate change and preparing to deal with it, it is possible to lessen the damage brought about by health problems for the population, including disaster-related stress, injuries and disease, in the short, medium and long terms.

Finally, the project is important to better understand the vulnerability of Canadian coastal areas to climate change, and how to manage the impact in the best possible way for the well-being of the communities.Results on potential adaptation solutions will be included in Health Canada's Climate Change and Health Vulnerability Assessment in 2007 and will be shared with coastal communities throughout Canada.

>>> For more information, contact Marcia Armstrong, marcia_armstrong@hc-sc.gc.ca

CDHS to Track Heat-Related Deaths & Illnesses

The California Department of Health Services (CDHS) recently announced it has been awarded a grant worth up to $4.5 million from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to track climate change-related deaths and illnesses. According to CDHS, the five-year grant will also allow the department to track diseases that could be related to air pollution. CDHS noted that the grant will also help fund efforts to develop predictions of exposure to increased temperatures and ozone pollution.

The Government of California has also released a report on public health impacts of climate change in the state.

>>> To view an electronic copy, visit:
 http://www.energy.ca.gov/2005publications/CEC-500-2005-197/CEC-500-2005-197-SF.PDF

Coming in Fall 2007

Canadian Climate Change and Health Vulnerability Assessment

The Health Assessment, featured in Newsletter Volume 3, will be a 300 page peer reviewed document which will assess the vulnerability of Canadians to the health risks associated with climate change. This report will consist of a literature review of recent climate change and health research as well as undertake new research on air quality, natural hazards, and adaptive capacity issues. The Health Assessment report will include the following chapters, authored by Canadian experts in climate change and health issues:

• Foreword and Introduction to Assessing Health Risks from Climate Change
  
  
• Methods for Assessing Health Risks from Climate Change
  
  
• Baseline Data for Assessing Health Risks from Climate Change
  
  
• Health Risks from Natural Hazards
  
  
• Health Risks from Air Pollution and Climate Change
  
  
• A Regional Climate Change and Health Impacts Assessment and Review of Adaptive Capacity in the Province of Quebec and in the North.
  
  
• Adaptive Capacity of the Health Sector to the Health Impacts of Climate Change
  
  
• Literature Review of Infectious Diseases and the Impacts of Climate Change

>>> To pre-order a copy of this report, email climatinfo@hc-sc.gc.ca

Canadian Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Assessment

The Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Directorate at Natural Resources Canada is coordinating a national scale scientific assessment of climate change impacts and adaptation in Canada. This assessment, undertaken from a regional perspective, will examine the existing and growing body of impacts and adaptation knowledge, to address key questions regarding Canada's vulnerability to climate change, as well as potential future opportunities. Leading Canadian experts from government, academia and the private sector are participating in the Assessment to help guide the process and author the chapters.

The main goals of the Assessment are:

1. To assess the current state of knowledge regarding Canada's vulnerability to climate change.
   
   
2. To provide Canadians with an up-to-date source of information that can be used to inform decision-making and policy development.
   
   
3. To highlight what we know, and emphasize how much we've learned through research since the publication of the last national-scale assessment in 1998.
   
   
4. To identify any knowledge gaps that need to be addressed.

Health information will be included in each of the regional chapters.

>>> For more information on the various chapters and the National Assessment process, please visit the National Assessment website at:  http://www.adaptation.nrcan.gc.ca/home2_e.asp?CaId=4&PgId=121