Transcript Over 1000 climate-related events hit Europe in the last three

(Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 1 – 2 July 2008)
Workshop on adaptation to climate change in the water sector
Integration of adaptation to climate
change in the water sector
The cold wave in Tajikistan, winter
2007 - 2008
Roger Aertgeerts
Regional Adviser, Water and Sanitation
[email protected]
(Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 1 – 2 July 2008)
Workshop on adaptation to climate change in the water sector
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(Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 1 – 2 July 2008)
Workshop on adaptation to climate change in the water sector
Over 1,000 climate-related events hit
Europe in the last three decades
•Droughts, extreme
temperatures, floods, wildfires
and windstorms
•Precipitation regime changes,
affecting river flow and aquifer
recharge
•Flood events increase
– Nine events in 2005 affecting
1,260,000 km in 16 countries
•Drought events become more
severe
Photo: Istockphoto
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Disturbance in precipitation
– Food production, inter-sectoral competition and
outbreak of water-related diseases
(Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 1 – 2 July 2008)
Workshop on adaptation to climate change in the water sector
• Droughts
• Floods
– Contamination, damage to infrastructure,
interruptions in in water services, displaced
persons
• Stream flow modification
– Impact on resources, energy, health
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2,330
Wind storm
9,027
Slides
(Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 1 – 2 July 2008)
Workshop on adaptation to climate change in the water sector
Natural disasters TJK (1990 – 2006)
802,778
Flood
23,590
Epidemics
23,157
Earthquake
0
100,000
200,000
300,000
400,000
500,000
600,000
700,000
800,000
900,000
Affected
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(Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 1 – 2 July 2008)
Workshop on adaptation to climate change in the water sector
Cold wave 2008
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(Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 1 – 2 July 2008)
Workshop on adaptation to climate change in the water sector
Impacts and actions
• Paralyzed primary health
care
• Cessation of delivery of care
to the population
• Water supply to wards
affected by energy cuts
• Central heating system
collapsed
• Medical instruments
inoperative
• Hospital admissions
increased 50% at inside
temp 5°C and cancellation of
non-urgent interventions
• Identification of key hospitals
and redirecting rural patients
• Transfer of fuel, drugs, and
other resources to key
hospitals
• Redirection of hospital staff
to family assistance at
territorial level
• Establishment of daily
reporting system
• Tightening of clinical and
epidemiological surveillance
and folloz-up
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Protecting health in Europe
from climate change
(Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 1 – 2 July 2008)
Workshop on adaptation to climate change in the water sector
A new WHO tool for European
decision-makers
presents the current and
projected health effects
related to climate change and
provides practical guidance
on specific actions that
countries and people can
take now to protect their
health.
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(Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 1 – 2 July 2008)
Workshop on adaptation to climate change in the water sector
UNECE Convention on the Protection and
Use of Transboundary Watercourses and
International Lakes
Aims
• Protection of transboundary waters by
preventing, controlling and reducing
transboundary impacts
• Ecologically sound and rational
management of transboundary waters
• Reasonable and equitable use of
transboundary waters  Conflict
prevention
• Conservation and restoration of
ecosystems
• Protocol on Water and Health
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(Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 1 – 2 July 2008)
Workshop on adaptation to climate change in the water sector
Task Force on Water and Climate
• Prepare a Guidance on Water and Climate
Adaptation
• Targeted to support cooperation and decision making
in transboundary basins
• Aim: adoption by the Meeting of the Parties at its fifth
session (Oct. 2009)
(Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 1 – 2 July 2008)
Workshop on adaptation to climate change in the water sector
Task Force on water supply and extreme
events
– Guidance for the operation of Water Supply and
Sanitation Services under Extreme Weather
Conditions (in preparation)
– Exchange information on management of water
and sanitation utilities under extreme drought/
flooding
– Codify good practice guidance documents in this
area
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(Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 1 – 2 July 2008)
Workshop on adaptation to climate change in the water sector
Conclusion
• Climate change will severely impact the most
fundamental determinant of health – water
quantity and quality.
• Water management systems need to adapt
• Health systems require strengthening
• WHO through the Protocol on Water and
Health is in the forefront of supporting
adaptation efforts by its Member States.
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(Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 1 – 2 July 2008)
Workshop on adaptation to climate change in the water sector
Thank you for your attention
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