Kyoto Protocol FOIA Document

1. a
WG ~~~CENMTER
PEW
GIobaI CHJ
NG
For Immediate Release Contact: Dale Curtis/Katie Mandes
December 13, 2000 202-777-3530/703-516-4146
Warrning May Pose Risks to Human Health, Report Finds;
U.S. Better.Aide to Cope, Poor Countries Less So;
Experts Say The.7ilderly, Sick, and Poor Are Most at Risk
Washington, D.C.- Global clinjate change may exacerbate health risks for the elderly,
the infirm, and the poor - aitho ghthere is substantial capacity to reduce these nisks -
according to a new report com dssioned by the Pew Ctnter on Global Climate Change.
And while the study finds that o ,er the next few decades the United States may have
sufficient resources to prevent de worst possibilities, poorer countnies may not fare as
w'ell.
Whie current health concerns the United States tend to revolve around such lifestyle
issues as alcohol and tobacco us 2, lack of exercise, and poor nutrition, climate change
raises the possibility that elevate Atemperatures, air contaminants, and changes mn
precipitation patterns could pos4 increased health risks. This new study, written by public
health experts Dr. John Balbus of The George Washington University and Dr. Mark
Wilson of The University of hgan, sifts through the evidence of climiate-related
Ei
health risks and reaches the foiwvingg conclusions:
* If climate change results in more heat waves and air pollution episodes,
disproportionately large and negative impacts on the elderly, the infirm, and the
poor are likely to result.
* While there are indicati us that a global warming trend may increase the risks of
vector- and water-born diseases, sanitation and public health systems in the
United States are gener lly sufficient to prevent these diseases from dramatically
increasing in incidence bir distribution. However, many developing countries lack
the resources and public health systems needed to prevent such outbreaks. The
report says government officials the world over need to maintain and strengthen
public health systems, 1icluding increased surveillance, and improved hygiene,
water quality, and vectc control.
Advancing the
debate through * The linkages between c imte and human health are complex and not fully
credible analysis understood. However, Lcrtainty about adverse health effects should not be
ancopproachves interpreted as certainty fno adverse health effects. Moreover, the potential for
approaches. unexpected events - e.g. sudden changes in climate or the emergence of new
2101 Wilson Blvd diseases -cannot be rulE d out, the report says.
Suite 550
Ari~ngton, VA 22201
ph (703) 516-4146
fax (703) 841-1422
www.pewel nate.arg

2. about the potential human health impacts of
"There have been a lot of claims and counte -claims
Claussen. "An honest assessment must
global climate change," said Pew Center Pre5ident Eileen
the worst scenanios of disease outbreaks
acknowledge that the United States can probably avoid
from climate-related causes.
the climate- related health risks faced by people
"At the same time, we should pay more atteltion to
people in our own country," Claussen said.
in less developed countries, and bythe most vulnerable
to guard against the possible emergence of
"And we need to beef up health surveillance systems
unexpected health threats."
can be accessed from the Pew Center's web
A complete copy of these and other Pew Cnter reports
site, www.pewclimate.org.
Stats 'Zargst
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3. Aboi t The Authors
JOHN BALBUS
Science and Public-Health and an associate
Dr. John Balbus isthe Director of the Qente for Risk
at the George Washington University School
Professor of Environmental and Occupatior al Health
in both internal Medicine and Occupational
of Public Health and Health Services. Board certified f Medicine and
h eatet
and Environmental Medicine, Dr. Balbus is soapitdi
International Public Health. He received MHdgefrmteonsopisSchool of
nvriyo en)vna n his
Hygiene and Public Health, his MD degree roI h University.
undergraduate degree in biochemistry from -lrvard
agreement with the US Environmental
Dr. Balbus is the Principal Investigator on a cooperative
on a number of issues related to risk assessment
Protection Agency's Office of Water, which focuses
Investigator on a new Pediatnic
for drinking -water contaminants. He is also a co-Principal
interests include risk assessment
Environmental Health Specialty Unit. Dr. alWbus' research
and waterbomne pathogens, and vaniations in
methodologies for health effects of climate -hange
contaminants. He has served as technical
susceptibility to microbial and chemical envo enal
the United Nations Environmental Programme
consultant and author for the health sector tor both
Country Studies program~
project on global climate change and the U cted States
MARK L. WILSON
and of Biology at the University of
Mark L. Wilson is currently Associate Prof ssor of Epidemiology ecology and epidemiology of
broad area of
Michigan, where his research and teaching :over the
from Harvard University in 1985, he worked
infectious diseases. After earning his doctr ral degree
was on the faculty at the Yale Uniiversity School
at the Pasteur Institute in Dakar Senegal (1 86-90),
of Michigan. Dr. Wilson's research addresses
of Medicine (1991-96), and then joined the University diseases, the evolution of vector-
the enviromnmental determ-inants; of zoononc and arthropod-borne He is an author of more than 90
dynamics.
host-parasite systems, and the analysis of anm'ssion
and has served on numerous government
journal articles, book chapters and researc reports,
and health. He currently is a member of the
advisory groups concerned with environm ntal change Infectious Diseases and Human
National Academy of Sciences panel on "(mte, Ecosystems,
Health."
3

4. PEW C EN1TER
Uhf fl~dnICLIMATE
uiuv~al CHANGE
~Contact: Dale Curtis/Katie Mandes
For Immediate
Release 7735/o5646
December 13, 20002C
Changes
Climate Ch gColCasMajor ReportSy
In U.S. E Zosystems15 New
cliinnLe change will cause mnajor changes in natural
Washington, DC -- Global that make up these ecosystems-
ecosystems n the plants and a'*al communities today by the Pew Center on
to a report released
-
across the United States, accordlink
Global Clijiate Change.
the integrity
global warming will disrupt
The report describes the very re o~ssibility that that provide
rns on which we depend - ecosystems
of many of the terrestnial ecosystc services as foods, raw materials, recreational
and~
humans such valuable goods control. The importance of ecosystems
opprtuites, clean air and watei I and erosion people placing a high value
and thingible benefits, with many roles of
extend beodeconomics in their lives. Despite the crucial
and aesthetic rol nature plays
4
on the spiritual by the impacts of a growing, human
terrestrial ecosystems, they are ir.creasingly threatened and now as a result
and air and water pollution,
population, through habitat destktin
of global climate change.
natural
is likely to profoundly alter the
"This report describes how clir ate change CGaussen. "It underscores the
point that
environment," said Pew Center President Eileen sooner rather
with climate change is needed
domestic and international acti n to deal
than later."
Dr. Jay
and written by two ecologists,
The report was comminssioned :ythe Pew Center Louis F. Pitelka of the University of
of Toronto and Dr.
R. Malcolm of the University conclusions:
Center for Enviro, ntal Science. Among the authors'
Maryland change as plants
of terrestrial ecosystems will
As the earth -warms, th4 distribution the eastern United States
and animals follow the~ shifting climate. For example,
as climate zones shift northward.are
-will likely lose many oi{ its deciduous f orests states such as Vermont, h
Advancing the
Trhus, sugar maples, so much a part of northeastern
sesm aias uha hsefudi
debate through Ik.Lk
.
likely to be replaced byok.Lkwisomhaits-ucashsefndnte in a
credible analysis
and cooperative i mcmoirntainous regions of
the West - are likely to shrink
high elevanions
approaches,
wrigwrd
2101 Wilson Blvd
Suite 550
Adolngton, VA 22201
ph (703) 516-4146
tax (703) 841-1422
,wwwpewclimatecar8

5. thret to thetnations biologenicalh the
rate of anticipat warming pose e tmsta sein
*Both the amount and anticipated clnt chneis estimated tob
diversity. The rate of numbers and even extinctioni
Ae.Asa rsutcertain species myface dwindling
las Ie ate. evie
fast enough toke pwihtecanigci
they are unable to migrate of the various god an
erie
alter the quanrtity and quality of
* Clmatechane islikely to is likely to affect the ability
For example, ciaechange
that ecosystems provide. and to control soil erosion.
-
ecosystems to filter air and water poluat increase
could change little or could
that the proutviyo pat regions
* Modeling studies estimate o euniform and some
these produtvt hneswl and, with it, the
substantially. However, a rie ocuddcmposition
While productivite
could see declines.to the atmosphere.
release of carbon a range of
rbiosidered in the context of
change on ecos tmsms climate change is likely to
* The effects of climate on ecosyste . vrltenwthreat of have suffered the
human-caused impacts and species that
for ecological communities ecssesalready under
stress
be especially damaging
human deve opment. Natural aaiyt adapt to climate change.
greatest disruption from
pollution wiIhave dimrinished th hnes that species
-will
because of air and water and fra mentation -Wil lese
Likewise, habitat destruction suitable climates and habitats.-
successfully migrate to more ouabffitto
inhlerently complexand
9It isimportanitto remember that ec systemisare is limited. This uncertainty
will liit
will respon 4 to climte change on ecosystems. In order
predict how ecos~ysterrs the effects of climate changeand community leaders
rninimizh
our abilityto anticipate and officials
to maximize nature's own capacity t) adapt, gover:nment and protect natural systems.
efforts tbD conserve biodiversity
should continue to support
from the Pew &enter's web
and other Pew Ct~nter reports can be accessed
A. complete copy of these
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6. About'The Authors
JAY MALCOM
Guelph, his Ph.D -fromthe
S. fmth UnveritYof University. Currently, he is an
Dr. ay~lcom BS. nd
rceivd hs Qens
pto f oral stheudivesat hswre o
UnivesitY f Floivda and BSanddertook of Toronto, where he
Forstsat the University change on csytm
Assistant Pofessoriaind derFcutyofk
th efulfects of global cliniate
the
theislastfour years Hisneerhseilzso Canad n h
admore generally on the effects of humanitiiisobiivriInadintoloaoyadin boreal
kn extensive field research
acl a n Glba Clmt
and
comute stude, Dr tts reotfrtePwCne ,i
Amazon and Congo Basins.
in addition to
hneisuswt h Caa ianaund U.S. aesi
nldn
has worked on clintd a ulse 3arils
ChangeI Dr. Macolm and )WF-US. Dr. }jacl
Governments, UNjEP, chapters, and technical reports.
scientific journals, book
fClfoiatDvsanaPhD
LOUIS PITELKA
Davis,an aPhD
arotb
thbvrsityoCaforynia asio M th ryandksinc
B.S.invooe romt tteUniver of
Dr. Louis Piteika receivedanfr DrSitciha en
0tnodUnvriy ds
from
in, plant ecology is currently~the Director ofteAplciaOaoaoYlnpotug hold the rno
where he l Sene.othe aclso
1996, er9fo Enirne nta
lr the
th niesiYs of theofacultyen dpreI Inloy
research laboratory in From 1974 u 198nh was Cammbr
anti wn he departd
hen
f
Prof essor in the University. thaie Pouatdwsihro Biology r Ptawre o h
of Biology at Bates College Beinn n18
Department
Program DrectoIo
theF) Pitecarborke yln the
easi 1984, Dr. lblcro
forlg
1983, he was appo nted 0 chSF-Beg in n
Science Foudtin ismajor researchaesicue
Program at the National Institute, -where
Electric Power Research on terrestrial ecosystems.
effctsof limtechange
loal is the Editor-
edited two books. H-e
ii aricsad has editorial board.
cis
Pitlbal heauthoefnmruss
Dr.ct O for fiveo years on the journal's
f adpeiuly served
zl' ueossc tfcarilsa Cihangserand
Dr inl-Chief oEcC4a' Leadisere PrGobral
Board of Cilgi. I-e is an Activiy Pnrogram HeSAhaosrvedt
H-e also is on the Editorial of the In mational
GeosPhereBiosphere EneirgynmS
antdo oesta
Terrestrial EcosYstfothNFerrs project velsfor DO epartme
theNF niolin
commnittees and pan n h elhan
on numerous advisory and cuetysre
Service and other organizatiOfls
Research Advisory Committee.
3