|
Climate change refers to the change in the earth's global and regional climate over time. This has been largely attributed to the emission of fossil fuels. It is predicted that climate change in Canterbury will create a rise in temperature and a fall in rainfall by approximately 10%.
 Public Health may be affected by these changes in the following ways:
- A decrease in water quality especially in rural areas of Canterbury which in turn will lead to water allocation issues
- An increase in warmer and wetter conditions will encourage an increase in habitats for disease causing vectors
- Low-lying areas may be subject to inundation. A sea level rise has been predicted from anywhere between 9-88cm
Reductions of greenhouse gas emissions are one way that the process of climate change may be slowed down. Community and Public Health supports this reduction by encouraging the following:
- greater use of public transport
- reducing overall vehicle use
- improving engine efficiency
- reducing the amount of energy we use
- turning off lights
- properly insulated houses.
Documents
Links
Ministry for the Environment
Environment Canterbury (ECAN)
New Zealand Climate Change Centre
FuelSaver (NZTA)
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (UN)
|
