Lin Yanqin, Today Online 18 Dec 07;
WHEN France and several other parts of Europe were hit by a heat wave during recent summers, the number of heatstroke and dehydration victims swelled significantly. But with many healthcare professionals on their annual vacation, many did not receive adequate care.
Simply changing such practices, said climate expert Andrew Watkinson (picture), would demonstrate what it means to effectively adapt to the effects of climate change, such as more floods and droughts.
In the case of the heat waves, in which thousands were killed, Professor Watkinson said the medical professionals could reschedule their vacations, traditionally taken in August across much of Europe.
Since the effects of climate change are "here to stay", businesses and institutions need to start taking adaptive action, said the director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research.
"The Bali climate change talks have been about mitigation, but we also have to look at the gases we have already emitted ... the effects are almost pre-determined," said Prof Watkinson, who spoke at the Climate Change Symposium yesterday at the National University of Singapore.
For instance, the warmer weather in the United Kingdom could make the country a more attractive tourist destination — but the industry will need to look at building the necessary infrastructure to accommodate the increased number of visitors, he said.
And while businesses should take the initiative to deal with climate change, Prof Watkinson emphasised the importance of the role of governments.
"In the UK, the retailers are very interested in addressing the issue of climate change, but they're waiting for the government to steer it," he said. "Governments need to clarify and give clear signals."
Echoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong — who said at the recent United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali that there was no "silver bullet" for climate change issues — Prof Watkinson pointed out that adaptation was not a "final process" and it was important to keep learning from experience.
"You need a road map that will give you choices," he said. "You have to take into account that something might or might not happen, and your policy should be able to deal with a broad range of possibilities."
