Table 3.
Climate Variable | Health Hazards & Impacts | Vulnerability (Exposure, Sensitivity, Adaptive Capacity) |
Evidence/ Uncertainty | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gradual Changes | Hazards (Tansfer from working table 3) |
Health Impacts Direct & indirect |
Regional | Economic | Social | Infrastructure | |
Temperature increase | Ground-level ozone likely to increase | Respiratory and cardio-vascular effects, including increase in mortality, hospitalisations and doctor visits. | Exposure likely to be higher in urban areas | - | Exposure tends to be higher outdoors → lifestyle and occupational factors may increase exposure. | Flow-on effects to health sector. May be heightened during heatwaves. | Link between ozone levels and temperature, and health effects of ozone exposure are well-established. |
Increase in aeroallergens | Asthma | Sensitive groups—existing respiratory conditions, including asthma. | Effect on aeroallergens is complex and uncertain. | ||||
Extreme Events Heatwaves |
Exposure to extreme heat | Heat-related illnesses | Areas with higher temperatures. Urban areas due to urban heat island effect. Higher proportion of sensitive groups in some regions (elderly, isolated). |
Low income groups—lower adaptive capacity and affected more by energy costs incurred during heatwaves. Food producers who may face crop losses, possible impact on tourism. |
Elderly, isolated, pre-existing medical conditions. Low adaptive capacity—low income groups, homeless Higher exposure—certain occupations or lifestyles |
Power cuts caused by high levels of peak demand. Damage to transport systems. Flow on effects to industry. Increased demand on health services. |
Link between exposure to heat and health is well-established. Possible synergistic effects of exposure to heat and air pollutants should be considered. |
Excerpts from [12].