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Public health impacts of climate change and adaptation measures in Japan
2020 Volume 69 Issue 5 Pages 403-411
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2020 Volume 69 Issue 5 Pages 403-411
Climate change is continuing to progress steadily, and without effective greenhouse gas emission controls, the temperature rise at the end of this century is projected to reach roughly 4.3℃, compared to before the Industrial Revolution. Climate change not only results in a rise in average temperature, but also causes an increase in extreme phenomena such as heat waves and heavy rains, and a variety of adverse health effects are expected. In this paper, I summarize the health chapter of the Ministry of the Environment's Climate Change Impact Assessment Report released in December 2020, and explain suggested adaptation measures in Japan.
In Japan, the risk of death from heat stress or heat stroke is particularly high as a health risk associated with climate change, and adaptation measures to meet this risk are urgently needed. Without proper measures, the number of heat-related excess deaths in the middle and end of this century is expected to more than double that in 2010 in all 47 prefectures, irrespective of greenhouse gas emission scenario. In addition, the risk of domestic epidemics of arthropod-borne infectious diseases such as dengue fever is particularly high, and adaptation measures to meet this risk are also urgently needed. The risk of increased incidences of water-borne and food-borne infectious diseases has also been projected.
The Climate Change Adaptation Law was enacted in 2018, and it will be necessary for society to promote adaptation measures to minimize associated impacts on public health. It is also critical to assess whether the current health care system will be capable of meeting the community's medical needs and maintaining health standards, even under future scenarios involving these adverse health impacts. In addition, it is also recommended to pursue co-benefits that promote mitigation measures, while simultaneously promoting health. Human health should always be prioritized in promoting adaptation measures.
