2012-04-23: Joburg and Adcock Ingram initiates dialogue on climate change impacts on human health
MIDRAND, 24 APRIL 20120 - The City of Johannesburg and Adcock Ingram have partnered to initiate a dialogue on the topic of climate change and its impact on
human health. The aim is to initiate a dialogue between various stakeholders such as media, academia, NGOs, civil society, business sector as well as
national & provincial government.
The science of climate change indicates that the world is now committed to future warming beyond 2oC. This is a consequence of the inertia in the
international climate change negotiations to reach a new global deal. Increased temperatures will result in more heat waves that will enhance incidences of
heat wave strokes, decreased economic activity and output, increased risk of heat, related mortality especially for the elderly, chronically sick and
socially isolated.
Some of these ailments may be exacerbated by poor air quality. Heat related water borne and vector diseases are expected to increase due to increased
flooding that could result in the contamination of water supplies.
Heat waves claim more lives each year than floods, tornados and hurricanes combined and yet are rarely given adequate attention (Earth Policy Institute
2003). For instance, in August 2003 an estimated 35 000 people died from the heatwave that hit several cities across Europe. Temperatures soared to 40oC in
France and remained unusually high for two weeks resulting in over 14 802 deaths, a death toll about 19 times more than the SARS epidemic globally.
Other affected countries were Germany (7 000 deaths), Spain & Italy (each nearly 4 200 deaths), Portugal (1 300 deaths) and the Netherlands (1 400).
"Climate Change has emerged as a significant factor in city management globally. High temperature variability and predictability have led to disasters which
in 2009 claimed thousands of lives globally and led to economic losses of USD billions" Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Parks Tau.
The North Eastern parts of South Africa including the City of Johannesburg experienced periods of two heat waves in series during the early summer season of
2011. The heat waves occurred during the last week of October and second week of November and lasted for a week and a couple of days respectively. Both heat
wave events had been significant in that a few temperature records were broken across Gauteng. Notably Johannesburg Botanical Gardens station recorded
highest temperature of 35.3oC in October 2011, breaking a 2002 record of 33.1oC for the month.
There was no data released on any incidences relating to the latter heat waves in South Africa subsequent to these two important climatic events, prompting
the current dialogue.
"Environmental issues have been topical for some time now, but it has become clear that the impact of climate change on health needs to be further
highlighted and addressed. Adcock Ingram is committed to driving this conversation throughout our business including our employees," concludes Adcock Ingram
CEO, Dr Jonathan Louw.
For more information contact:
Dudu Ndlovu
Corporate Affairs, Investor Relations and Government Relations: Adcock Ingram
Tel: (011) 635 0171
Cel: 071 689 9796
Email: [email protected]
OR
Monica Braganca
Ogilvy Public Relations
Tel: (011) 709 6646
Cel: 082 553 3858
Email: [email protected]
OR
Barney Kgope
City of Johannesburg
Environment, Infrastructure and Services Department
Tel: (011) 587 4206/7
Cel: 083 529 1772
Email: [email protected]
