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All Documents in International Issues Tagged global warming and health

Safe Water in Peril
Addressing the Effects of Global Warming on Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation
Fact Sheet

More than one billion people lack access to safe drinking water, and more than two billion people live without improved sanitation. To avoid an outright global water catastrophe, local, national, and global leaders must reduce pollution to minimize further climate change while preparing vulnerable communities to deal with the changes in climate that are already occurring or are unavoidable. Get document in pdf.

Documents Tagged global warming and health in All Sections

Rising Tide of Illness: How Global Warming Could Increase the Threat of Waterborne Diseases
Fact Sheet

Although there is little public discussion of the problem, disease outbreaks caused by contaminated water occur regularly. Researchers estimate that, including unreported cases, between 4 and 33 million waterborne gastrointestinal illnesses occur each year in the United States. Global warming is projected to increase the risk of more frequent and more widespread outbreaks of waterborne illnesses, due to higher temperatures and more severe weather events. To help prevent increased occurrence of water-related illnesses, the CDC should improve surveillance of waterborne disease outbreaks, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should improve water quality regulations, and Congress should act to limit emissions of global warming pollutants. We need to act now to protect public health today while preparing for the impacts of climate change.
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Fever Pitch
Mosquito-Borne Dengue Fever Threat Spreading in the Americas
Issue Paper

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease that may worsen with global warming. Dengue has increased over the past several decades, probably because of urbanization and population growth, rapid international travel and trade, and widespread poverty. By 2085, an estimated 5.2 billion people are projected to be at risk for dengue because of climate change–induced increases in temperature and humidity. This July 2009 NRDC issue paper finds that two types of mosquitoes capable of transmitting dengue fever can now be found across at least 28 states. As temperatures rise, the potential for transmission of this dangerous disease may increase in vulnerable parts of the United States.

Global Warming Health Threats
Global warming is already affecting human health around the world. The impact will be widespread, and plans to cope are needed now.
Overview

Global warming is already affecting human health around the world. The impact will be widespread, and plans to cope are needed now.

Temperatures Rising
Global Warming Turns up the Heat on Human Health
Fact Sheet

Heat waves are becoming more frequent and more severe as a result of global warming. Higher temperatures will have serious effects on human health. Get document in pdf.

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For additional policy documents, see the NRDC Document Bank.