2 results
6 - Climate change impacts and adaptation
- Edited by Sarah E. Cornell, I. Colin Prentice, Macquarie University, Sydney, Joanna I. House, University of Bristol, Catherine J. Downy, European Space Agency
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- Book:
- Understanding the Earth System
- Published online:
- 05 November 2012
- Print publication:
- 09 August 2012, pp 160-201
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Summary
In this chapter, we address the biophysical impacts of climate change, and the consequent impacts on socio-economic systems. Modelling the impacts associated with future climate change provides important information for society’s mitigation and adaptation responses. It also presents significant challenges for Earth system science. We discuss the ways in which uncertainty in impact modelling arises and how it can be managed.
Introduction
Key concepts
Changes in climate, including those arising as a consequence of anthropogenic perturbations of the climate system, can result in a wide variety of impacts on Earth’s ecosystems and the human activities that depend on them. There are two good practical reasons why it is important to understand the processes involved and assess the possible magnitudes of impacts.
First, an assessment of the extent to which continued anthropogenic climate change could inflict damage is needed in order that well-informed decisions can be made about the reduction of human influences on climate. Our understanding of Earth system behaviour alerts us to the fact that action to mitigate climate change through reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions is not without consequences; so decisions to pursue mitigation options need to be weighed up on the basis of reliable estimates of the costs, risks and benefits of different courses of action.
Secondly, the increase in atmospheric greenhouse-gas concentrations since the Industrial Revolution means that further climate change is inevitable even if greenhouse-gas emissions were to be reduced soon ( Figure 6.1 ). It is therefore necessary for society to adapt to unavoidable changes. Since adaptation action is also not without consequences, it is important that adaptive action addresses credible risks , and represents an efficient allocation of resources.
Outbreak of Healthcare-Associated Infection and Colonization With Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella enterica Serovar Senftenberg in Florida
- Robyn S. Kay, Alexander G. Vandevelde, Paul D. Fiorella, Rebecca Crouse, Carina Blackmore, Roger Sanderson, Christina L. Bailey, Michael L. Sands
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- Journal:
- Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology / Volume 28 / Issue 7 / July 2007
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 02 January 2015, pp. 805-811
- Print publication:
- July 2007
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- Article
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Background.
In July 1999, a rare strain of multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Senftenberg was isolated from the sputum of a trauma patient. Over a 6-year period (1999-2005) in northeast Florida, this Salmonella serovar spread to 66 other patients in 16 different healthcare facilities as a result of frequent transfers of patients among institutions. To our knowledge, this is the first outbreak of healthcare-associated infection and colonization with a fluoroquinolone-resistant strain of S. Senftenberg in the United States.
Objectives.To investigate an outbreak of infection and colonization with an unusual strain of S. Senftenberg and assist with infection control measures.
Design.A case series, outbreak investigation, and microbiological study of all samples positive for S. Senftenberg on culture.
Setting.Cases of S. Senftenberg infection and colonization occurred in hospitals and long-term care facilities in 2 counties in northeast Florida.
Results.The affected patients were mostly elderly persons with multiple medical conditions. They were frequently transferred between healthcare facilities. This Salmonella serovar was capable of long-term colonization of chronically ill patients. All S. Senftenberg isolates tested shared a similar pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern.
Conclusion.A prolonged outbreak of infection and colonization with multidrug-resistant S. Senftenberg was identified in several healthcare facilities throughout the Jacksonville, Florida, area and became established when infection control measures failed. The bacterial agent was capable of long-term colonization in chronically ill patients. Because the dispersal pattern of this strain suggested a breakdown of infection control practices, a multipronged intervention approach was undertaken that included intense education of personnel in the different institutions, interinstitutional cooperation, and transfer paperwork notification.