climate-change-2016_scientifictracks-abstracts

8 / 96

Notes:
Page 29
Climate Change 2016
October 27-29, 2016
Volume 7, Issue 9(Suppl) J Earth Sci Clim Change
ISSN: 2157-7617 JESCC, an open access journal
conferenceseries .com
October 24-26, 2016 Valencia, Spain
World Conference onClimate Change
Physical, (sociological) and societal health and public perceptions in a likely climate change scenario:
Wastewater and coastal agriculture
Graciela I Ramirez toro1 and Harvey Minnigh2
1Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico
2Gabriella and Paul Rosenbaum Foundation, USA
Oceanic slands are among the first and likeliest venues to feel the effects of climate change and in those venues the effects
are most likely to be severe. In a coastal setting we present historical anthropogenic changes to stream flow, water quality,
agriculture and vegetative cover and their effects, both actual and as perceived by residents, on human habitation and politico-
social stressors. Among the actual effects are increased risks of waterborne and waterwashed diseases. While the specific
changes are not reliably due to climate change, the effects are exactly what are likely to occur due to increased rainfall, higher
temperatures and sea level rise. These include reduced velocities in streams due to occlusion, changes in watersheds, reduced
species diversity and loss of arable land area. We illustrate each of these and suggest how earlier implementation of some
of US EPA’s planning materials (particularly, Priorities For Managing Freshwater Resources in a Changing Climate) could
have reduced stresses in the area and would help prepare areas such as this for the effects of climate change. For example,
establishing a planning process focused on local conditions, improved sharing of local water information and strengthened
vulnerability assessments would have mitigated physical effects and reduced psycho-social stress. In addition, we show some
of the particular sensitivities of islands to environmental dangers from solid waste disposal and landfills.
Biography
Graciela I Ramirez toro completed her PhD at Drexel University in 1991. She is the Director of CECIA, the Environmental Institute of Inter American University
of Puerto Rico. She has authored some 100 environmental studies and served on National, Commonwealth and local administrative and scientific committees
including the National Drinking Water Advisory Council, National Environmental Justice Advisory Council and the National Advisory Council for Environmental
Policy and Technology.
Graciela I Ramirez toro et al., J Earth Sci Clim Change 2016, 7:9(Suppl)