Introductory presentation

Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's near-surface air and oceans since the mid-20th century, and its projected continuation. Global surface temperature increased 0.74 ± 0.18°C during the 100 years ending in 2005 due to an enhanced greenhouse effect. Climate model projections indicate that average global surface temperature will likely rise a further 1.1 to 6.4°C during the 21st century. Although most studies focus on the period up to 2100, warming and sea level rise are expected to continue for more than a thousand years even if greenhouse gas levels are stabilised.

Natural Natural greenhouse gases include water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and even ozone. The amounts of all these gases in the atmosphere are now being increased as a result of man-made processes, such as fossil fuel burning and deforestation. Domestic Domestic processes such as the use of petrol/diesel-driven transport, and electricity and gas for heating/cooking/cleaning. Industry Carbon dioxide is the main emission of most industries. The crop and livestock sectors’ main emissions are nitrous oxide and methane - both much more potent than carbon dioxide in their greenhouse gas effect.

Agriculture Agriculture is responsible for the majority of the UK's nitrous oxide emissions caused by microbial activity in soils as a result of the application of nitrogen fertilisers - organic and inorganic - essential for healthy crop growth. Methane emissions come mainly from livestock and manures. Resource utilisation and population dynamics In the 20th century, human population multiplied from 1.6 billion to 6.1 billion people. During this same period of time, CO 2 emissions grew twelve- fold. Population, global warming and consumption patterns are inextricably linked in their collective global environmental impact.

An increase in global temperature will have a huge impact on our earth, including some significant changes: A rise in sea levels An increase in the intensity of extreme weather Changes in agricultural yields Glacier retreat Mass species extinctions Increases in the ranges of certain diseases.

Climate change is an emerging threat to public health. Millions of people are at risk of health problems stemming from floods, drought, windstorms and the spread of disease enabled by warming temperatures. Temperature: heat-related deaths could increase to around 2800 cases per year. Flooding: there may be an increased frequency of severe coastal and river floods. Vector-borne diseases: diseases transmitted by mosquitoes or ticks are climate-sensitive and can increase or be introduced due to climate change. Water-borne disease: climate change might increase levels of cholera and Typhoid in water. UV exposure: levels of UV radiation reaching the earth’s surface may increase due to sunnier summers, a decline in cloud cover and ozone depletion.

Adaptation consists of initiatives and measures to reduce the vulnerability of natural and human systems to actual or expected climate change effects. Priorities for adaptation: Improved water resource management Coastal and river flood defence programmes Management of wildlife, forestry and agriculture Improved long-term and short-term risk prediction Vector and host control Access to information and technology, and awareness of climate change impacts Disease surveillance and health protection measures Treatment and vaccination.

Game objectives: Develop understanding of the need to consider and research the interactions between global warming and human health To realise the importance of researching diseases to reduce human suffering To understand that countries have to implement changes in order to adapt to the effects of global warming in relation to human health and disease To raise awareness of the present and future social impacts of biomedical research and development in the context of global warming. This game will introduce you to the effects of global warming on the world’s population. You, the player must sustain the health of the global community by implementing strategies and performing research in order to prevent disease and combat the effects of global warming.

The time slider allows you to view various statistics through time, such as global temperature, population and sea levels. Click these to view different statistics on the globe. A quick tutorial Bar showing the current population statistics, funds available and the current year.

Roll over the area buttons to view the area's population and what diseases are epidemic. Click the Research and Diagnose button to view the Disease Research panel. Unknown diseases are added here when they appear on the globe as '???'. Click a '???' button to view the symptoms and diagnose the disease. When you get it correct, it is available to research.

Clicking on the area buttons lets you see what diseases have appeared in the area, as well as a list of policies available. Applying policies helps prevent diseases spreading. By looking at the symptoms, choose the correct disease from the drop-down box. If you get it right, you receive more funds. If you get it wrong, more money is added to the research price.

When the time runs out you are given a breakdown of your score, including the amount of people you saved (or didn’t save), your diagnosis ability, the policies you chose, and the diseases you successfully researched. All you need to do now is play again and try and beat that score.

Climate change is a significant and emerging threat to public health, and changes the way we must look at protecting vulnerable populations. The impacts of climate on human health will not be evenly distributed around the world. Developing-country populations, particularly in small island states, arid and high mountain zones, and in densely populated coastal areas, are considered to be particularly vulnerable. Fortunately, much of the health risk is avoidable through existing health programmes and interventions. Ways to help: Continue to draw to the attention of the public and policy-makers the serious risk of climate change to global health. Propose health measures and integrate them into plans for adaptation to climate change as appropriate. Promote effective engagement of the health sector and its collaboration with all related sectors, agencies and key partners at national and global levels in order to reduce the current and projected health risks from climate change.