Facing an Uncertain Climate
Authors: Jennifer Fisher Wilson
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2007)

Current Clinical Issues16 January 2007Facing an Uncertain ClimateJennifer Fisher WilsonJennifer Fisher WilsonScience Reporter, Annals of Internal Medicine Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-146-2-200701160-00022 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Our climate is changing, and the results are increasingly disruptive. Droughts, dust storms, and wildfires are occurring more often in some areas, while others are plagued by an increasing number of intense rainstorms and hurricanes. Glaciers are melting, sea levels are rising, coasts are eroding, and heat waves are happening at historic rates, seriously threatening the survival of ecosystems and placing approximately 25% of all plant and animal species on the path to extinction by 2050 (1). Melting sea ice has shortened the season during which polar bears can search for food and has hindered their reproduction; the U.S. ...References1. Thomas CD, Cameron A, Green RE, Bakkenes M, Beaumont LJ, Collingham YC, et al. Extinction risk from climate change. Nature. 2004;427:145-8. [PMID: 14712274] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Kovats RS, Menne B, McMichael AJ, Corvalan C, Bertollini R, eds. Climate Change and Human Health: Impact and Adaptation. Geneva: World Health Organization; May 2000. Accessed at whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2000/WHO_SDE_OEH_00.4.pdf on 23 October 2006. Google Scholar3. Houghton JT, Ding Y, Griggs DJ, Nogver M, van der Linden PJ, Dai X, et al, eds. Climate change 2001: The Scientific Basis. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Pr; 2001. Google Scholar4. McMichael AJ, Haines A, Slooff R, Kovats RS, eds. Climate Change and Human Health. WHO document WHO/EHG/96.7. Geneva: World Health Organization; 1996. Google Scholar5. Lindgren E, Tälleklint L, Polfeldt T. Impact of climatic change on the northern latitude limit and population density of the disease-transmitting European tick Ixodes ricinus. Environ Health Perspect. 2000;108:119-23. [PMID: 10656851] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. Stott PA, Stone DA, Allen MR. Human contribution to the European heatwave of 2003. Nature. 2004;432:610-4. [PMID: 15577907] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. Wayne P, Foster S, Connolly J, Bazzaz F, Epstein P. Production of allergenic pollen by ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) is increased in CO2-enriched atmospheres. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2002;88:279-82. [PMID: 11926621] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. Mohan JE, Ziska LH, Schlesinger WH, Thomas RB, Sicher RC, George K, et al. Biomass and toxicity responses of poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) to elevated atmospheric CO2. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006;103:9086-9. [PMID: 16754866] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. Epstein PR. Climate change and human health. N Engl J Med. 2005;353:1433-6. [PMID: 16207843] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar10. McMichael AJ, Campbell-Lendrum DH, Corvalän CF, Ebi KL, Githeko AK, Scheraga JD, et al. Climate Change and Human Health: Risks and Responses. WHO document WHO/WMO/UNEP 1996. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2003. Google Scholar11. McMichael AJ, Woodruff RE, Hales S. Climate change and human health: present and future risks. Lancet. 2006;367:859-69. [PMID: 16530580] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar12. Stern N. Stern Review: The Economics of Climate Change. 30 October 2006. Accessed at www.sternreview.org.uk on 11 November 2006. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Science Reporter, Annals of Internal Medicine Disclosures: None disclosed.E-mail:[email protected]org. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byChronomics of Circulating Plasma Lipid Peroxides and Antioxidant Enzymes in Renal Stone FormersAntioxidant Pre-Treatment Reduces the Toxic Effects of Oxalate on Renal Epithelial Cells in a Cell Culture Model of UrolithiasisAmbient temperature as a contributor to kidney stone formation: implications of global warming 16 January 2007Volume 146, Issue 2Page: 153-156KeywordsCarbon dioxideClimate changeDengue feverForecastingHealth information technologyLyme diseaseMalariaPopulation statisticsPrevention, policy, and public healthScientists ePublished: 16 January 2007 Issue Published: 16 January 2007 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2007 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...