Observed and projected health impacts of climate change and variability in Italy
As outlined in earlier chapters, Italy will likely face various changes in the climate system as well
as changes in sectors and economic activities. These may present additional risks to human health,
or enhance the present risks to human health. As in the earlier chapters, it can be concluded that
people’s health might be more exposed to:
• general warming of the Mediterranean, lakes and air masses;
• a decrease in mean precipitation but an increase in frequency of extreme precipitation
(increased risk of floods);
• an increase in the frequency of hot and tropical days;
• a decrease in the number of cold/frost days;
• sea level rise (risk of sea flooding and salinization);
• decreases in water supply with associated higher costs and changes in water provision
practices (wastewater reuse, desalinization etc.);
• increased risk of growth of algae and cyanobacteria in lakes and sea, in particular in late
summer;
• increased risk of plant pests and associated changes in agricultural practices;
• lengthening and anticipation of plant flowering season with potential earlier arrival of some
allergenic species, as well as changes in abundance of pollen types;
• changes in air pollution concentrations and air quality;
• prolonged persistence of ozone depleting substances, with a delay in the ozone hole repair
and thus continuation of increased solar radiation reaching Earth’s surface (although effects
depend on many factors).