Bulletin No. 1, 2016

16 Chinese University Bulletin No. 1, 2016 ‘For many people, problems brought on by global climate change may seem so distant,’ said Prof. Emily Ying-yang Chan , Director of the Collaborating Centre for Oxford University and CUHK for Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response (CCOUC), Professor and Associate Director at CUHK’s Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care and Assistant Dean at CUHK’s Faculty of Medicine. ‘We know that glaciers are melting, sea-levels are rising and cities are getting warmer, but looking at its health impacts can really bring home the severity of the issue.’ Rural Villages of China Most of the urban dwellers have some means of protecting themselves from undesirable e n v i r o n m e n t a l i m p a c t s . H owe v e r, w i t h o u t r e a d i l y a cce s s i b l e t e chno l og y and healthcare services, people in under-developed villages can be more vulnerable to climate change than those living in the cities. Professor Chan has been leading the CCOUC team to remote villages in mainland China for health-related and disaster- relief services since the Centre’s establishment in 2011. They observed how climate change has affected the way of living there. ‘In the past, people in the villages could leave pieces of meat on the t able for a few days as the weather was relatively cool and dr y. But as it get s warmer in recent years, unrefrigerated food can be spoiled within a day. The wa rmi ng wea t he r ha s a l s o made fermenting and pickling very difficult, if not impossible. I mp r op e r f o o d p r o c e s s i ng and s t o r ag e o f t en l ead t o f o od p o i s on i ng and o t h e r h e a l t h - r e l a t e d p r o b l ems ,’ Professor Chan said. Public Awareness in Hong Kong However, very few people in Hong Kong will relate distant environmental problems to how they live their daily lives. Results of a recent survey conducted by Professor Chan reveal a lower proportion of young people in Hong Kong (15–24 years old) frequently engage in carbon- reduction behaviours, such as using less electricity and air- conditioning, compared with the older age groups (45 years or above). To ra is e pub li c awa rene s s , especially among the school- age, CCOUC has initiated a p r o f e s s i o na l d e v e l o pme n t p r o g r amme f o r s e conda r y school teachers on the impacts of globalization on climate change and human health. The Centre has also developed a climate change online course for researchers and professionals in healthcare, education and humanitarian sectors. ‘ Educ at i on is impo r t ant a s changes brought about by each individual may eventually help reverse or alleviate the negative environmental consequences on a global scale. It can also Education can empower the public to protect themselves from heat-related illnesses and seek medical help at an early stage. Climate and Health Prof. Emily Chan