Health and the Environment Joan L. Aron, Ph.D. ESSE21 Baltimore, MD June 11-13, 2003

Health and the Environment Overview b Earth system science applications from: World Health OrganizationWorld Health Organization World Meteorological OrganizationWorld Meteorological Organization United Nations Environment ProgrammeUnited Nations Environment Programme b Information resources for applications b Information resources for science & math systemic education reform P-16, NASSMC, NASA’s Linking Leaders ProgramP-16, NASSMC, NASA’s Linking Leaders Program

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

Global Climate Change Sea level rise b Displacement of coastal communities b Disturbance of agricultural activity b Coastal erosion, beach loss, decline in tourism b Intrusion of sea water into freshwater aquifers

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

Global Climate Change Threat of sea level rise

Hurricane Lenny Eastern Caribbean

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

ENSO Drought in Pacific Islands

b More skin disease in FSM, Marshalls b Poor air quality from wildfires in Guam, Pohnpei, Yap, Palau b Relief food shipments b Information campaign reduced incidence of diarrheal disease in Pohnpei hospital b Water storage and conservation b Many diseases under study ( dengue,... )

Aedes aegypti mosquito Dengue vector

Regional Interactions African dust in the Caribbean

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

Regional Interactions River outflows from S. America

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

Information resources for health and environment applications b Websites for 2002 Caribbean climate and health conference WHO, WMO, UNEP, EPA, NOAA, NASA, Health Canada, Envir. Canada, Caribbean orgsWHO, WMO, UNEP, EPA, NOAA, NASA, Health Canada, Envir. Canada, Caribbean orgs b Ecosystem Change and Public Health: A Global Perspective ( JHU Press, 2001 ] b Climate and Health Information Exchange

Caribbean Climate and Health WHO book in English and Spanish

Information resources : science & math syst. educational reform b P-16 system from preschool to university b University as educator of teachers - need especially critical for science & math b NASA’s Linking Leaders program for state- based education reform efforts b National Alliance of State Science and Mathematics Coalitions [ NASSMC ] b NASA’s Aerospace Education Specialists assigned to each U.S. state / territory