The burgeoning field of transdisciplinary adaptation research in Quebec (1998–): a climate change-related public health narrative

Figures & data

Table 1 Effects of climate change on systems (Province of Quebec, Canada)

Affected biological and physical systems	Examples of impact
Permafrost conditions	Most significant warming in western Arctic than in other Canadian regions At least 1°C increase in surface permafrost temperature since 1990 in northern Quebec
Snow cover	10% decrease in extent of Northern Hemisphere 1972–2003 Decrease of 20 days in duration of snow in Arctic since 1950
Glacier cover	Widespread retreat since 1920s in Arctic Estimated loss of ice mass in Canadian Arctic of 25 km^3 per year, 1995–2000
Sea-, lake- and river-ice cover	3% per decade decrease in annual average area of sea in Northern Hemisphere, 1978– 2003
Coastal erosion	Accelerated erosion and degradation of coastline throughout the Gulf of St Lawrence
Plant phenology and productivity	5–6 days advance since 1959 in the onset of phonological spring in eastern North America Greater productivity rates of spruce in poplar in Quebec Lengthening of growing season for crop production
Distribution of animal species	Increasing abundance of cool and warm water fish species relative to cold water species

Table 2 Examples of climate change-related risks for human health (potential human health impacts)

Climate change exposure pathways and climate-related causes	Examples of climate change-related risks and potential health impacts
Extreme weather events (direct exposure) Heavy rains causing floods and mudslides More frequent and violent storms and other types of weather event Rising sea level and coastal instability Increasing drought in some areas Socio-economic changes Temperature extremes (direct exposure) More frequent and severe heat waves Overall warmer weather	Death, injury and illness from floods, storms and other extreme weather events Psychological health effects including weather-related disaster, mental health and stress-related illnesses Health effects due to food or water shortages Illness due to drinking water contamination Heat-related morbidity and mortality Respiratory and cardiovascular disorders
Stratospheric ozone depletion (direct exposure) Depletion of ozone by chloro- and fluorocarbons and other gases Temperature-related changes by stratospheric ozone chemistry	More cases of sunburn, cataracts, skin cancers Immune diseases
Air quality (indirect exposure) Increased air pollution Increased production of pollens, spores by plants	Exacerbation of allergies and asthma symptoms Increased cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other respiratory disease Eyes, nose and throat irritation, shortness of breath Food-borne illnesses and enteric diseases Outbreaks of water-borne pathogens (eg, Escherichia coli, Giardia) Increased incidence of vector-borne diseases native to Canada Possible emergence of new infectious diseases and re-emergence of those previously eradicated Increasing abundance of cool and warm water fish species relative to cold water species
Food and water contamination (indirect exposure) Contamination of drinking water by severe rainfalls Changes in marine environments (eg, higher toxins levels in fish) Infectious diseases transmitted by insects, ticks and rodents Changes in the ecology of vectors (disease-carrying insects, ticks and rodents) Longer disease transmission period Distribution of animal species

Table 3 Examples of climate change-related risks for human health (potential human health impacts) in the northern communities

Climate change exposure pathways and climate-related causes	Examples of climate change-related risks and potential health impacts
Extreme precipitation events and natural hazards (direct exposure)	Increased risk of landslide and avalanche-related mortality and morbidity
Temperature-related injuries (direct exposure)	Respiratory impacts and other heat-related risks
Changing ice and snow conditions (direct exposure)	Increased frequency of accidents while on ice Decreased access to country food items
Unpredictability of weather conditions (direct exposure)	Increased frequency and severity of accidents and increased morbidity/mortality while hunting/traveling
Changes in air quality by contaminants, pollens and spores (indirect exposure)	Increased incidence of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases
Food and water security (indirect exposure)	Decreased access to traditional food items and erosion of value associated with the consumption of traditional food items Reduced access to potable water and increased incidence of enteric and other infectious diseases
Increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation (indirect exposure)	Increased incidence of rashes and snow blindness
Permafrost instability; sea level rise and coastal erosion (indirect exposure)	Negative effects on public health, housing and transportation infrastructures Psychological effects of infrastructure damage and community relocation

Table 4 Three-year research projects adapted by the Ouranos Consortium in Quebec (2006–2009)

Projects theme	Examples of projects
Heat waves and climate warming	Historical analyses of hospital morbidity, emergency room services evaluation, and analysis of mortality as a function of historic temperatures and simulated analyses, for 2020, 2050 and 2080. Implementation of roundtables to assess the measures required for adaptation to climate change: institutional and clinical components. Identification of sectors vulnerable to severe heat in a Canadian/Quebecker metropolis for intervention and research on public health.
Other extreme weather events	Feasibility study for the development of real- and non-real time tools for surveillance of the health effects of extreme weather events.
Air quality	Estimation of future smog levels with the United Regional Air-quality Modelling System (AURAMS) and the Canadian Regional Climate Model (CRCM). Final spatial variations in mortality and hospitalization with extreme weather events in urban environments.
Water quality	Feasibility study of water management projects using current Ouranos water projects. Incidence and distribution of gastrointestinal illnesses among populations at risk and the risk factors associated with climate and agricultural practices.
Integration, communication, and strategic support	Development of an interactive atlas on health vulnerabilities associated with climate change. Integration and transfer of knowledge and support of the Ouranos activities by the Quebec Ministry of Health and its network, Health Canada, and the World Health Organization.