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Sommaire

Nous devons nous adapter au changement climatique en adoptant des mesures d’adaptation et d’atténuation afin de rester sous la barre des 1,5°C. Cela aura des conséquences importantes sur la société dans son ensemble. Notre capacité d’adaptation définira l’ampleur des répercussions et les risques auxquels nous devrons faire face en Suisse et à travers le monde. L’adaptation est un processus de transformation, puisque le statu quo actuel ne permet pas d’assurer un avenir durable, surtout si nous n’arrivons pas à atténuer suffisamment les causes du changement climatique anthropique. Afin de changer le système, nous devons en comprendre le fonctionnement, son histoire et surtout qui le contrôle, en a la légitimité et la connaissance pour pouvoir bousculer l’ordre établi. Si nous reproduisons les “solutions” d’aujourd’hui sans évaluer ce qui maintient le système actuel en place nous risquons de simplement creuser les inégalités et répéter les mêmes erreurs.

FR: Image symbolique : Un officiel de l’armée aide à la distribution de masques anti-fumée aux passagers des voitures qui conduisent à travers de la ville de Palangkaraya, Kalimantan Central.

L’adaptation au changement climatique est un processus complexe et multidimensionnel qui concerne beaucoup d’acteurs à un niveau très localisé. En temps de crise, la frange de la population la plus marginalisée par la société est bien souvent celle qui souffre le plus. Mais il est important de faire la distinction avec le processus d’atténuation dans ce cas. Le changement climatique pose des dangers plus grands et même les scientifiques ne savent pas ce qui se produira exactement. Le coût des dommages du réchauffement de la planète sur les réseaux routier et ferroviaire ainsi que les centrales nucléaires et hydrauliques pourrait s’élever à 1 milliard de Francs Suisses par an.Les régions montagneuses devront probablement faire face à des problèmes de gestion des eaux dans les secteurs de l’agriculture et du tourisme saisonnier. La fonte des neiges pourrait ne plus être suffisante pour remplir les réservoirs d’eau qui servent à l’agriculture, aux centrales hydroélectriques et à la création de neige artificielle. La politique suisse d’adaptation climatique ne doit pas oublier les personnes et les secteurs les plus touchés par le changement climatique. Par ailleurs, en plus du projet de l’Office fédéral de l’environnement, présenté dans ce chapitre, notre programme prend en compte des groupes et des régions suisses vulnérables qui pourraient être touchés plus rapidement par le changement climatique et qui disposent de capacités d’adaptation limitées. Notre objectif est que les personnes qui subissent un impact négatif suite à ces changements n’aient pas à assumer seuls les coûts de cette adaptation et disposent des outils nécessaires pour faire face à de nouvelles réalités.

Image symbolique : Boîtes de légumes vides dans le supermarché.
  1. Santé : appliquer des mesures de prévention. Construction d’infrastructures résistantes à des évènements météorologiques violents (ex: aménagement d’espaces verts climatisant dans les villes pour lutter contre les grosses chaleurs), prise en compte du réchauffement climatique dans toutes les futures décisions urbanistiques. Observation des maladies à transmission vectorielle pour détecter les épidémies assez tôt. Construction de systèmes énergétiques respectueux de l’environnement et promotion des transports en commun et des activités comme le vélo ou la marche à pied comme alternatives aux véhicules motorisés pour réduire les émissions carbone, la pollution de l’air par les ménages et encourager l’exercice physique.
  2. Santé : développer la résilience. Augmenter le capital social en organisant un réseau de ressources et en renforçant le tissu social pour aider les plus vulnérables et développer la résilience de la communauté à lutter contre les difficultés physiques et mentales liées au climat.
  3. Santé : investir dans le système de santé. Le personnel soignant prend aussi soin de l’environnement en pratiquant un emploi “vert”. Ces emplois “verts” contribuent à la préservation et le renforcement du bien-être, de la culture et de la gouvernance des générations futures et actuelles. Le personnel soignant des hôpitaux et des maisons de retraites, par exemple, utilise moins de ressources et émet moins de CO2 que les travailleurs du secteur de la production ou de la distribution.
  4. Régions montagneuses : trouver des alternatives au tourisme saisonnier.Stop aux subventions pour les entreprises aux modèles économiques à court terme qui ne prennent pas en compte la durabilité environnementale. Les subventions devraient accompagner les régions qui vivent du ski à diversifier leurs activités et rester actives toute l’année pour qu’elles soient plus résilientes aux variations de températures et être octroyées à des projets dont l’impact social et environnemental est évalué.
  5. Migration : protection. Aide juridique, guidance et développement de lois qui renforcent la protection des personnes déplacées dans le contexte des catastrophes climatiques.

Mesures

Mesure 12.1 : Prévention, résilience et investissement dans le système de santé

Plusieurs politiques de mitigation ont déjà un effet positif sur la santé. De manière globale, il faut plus d’investissement dans le secteur de la santé. Par ailleurs, il faut renforcer la surveillance épidémiologique ciblée sur certains territoires et le capital social avec l’aide active du gouvernement. Cela sous-entend l’organisation d’un réseau de ressources et le renforcement du tissu social pour aider les plus vulnérables et développer la résilience de la communauté.

Description

The overall health effects of a changing climate are likely to be overwhelmingly negative. Pollution does not only affect the climate but also social and environmental determinants of health – clean air and drinking water, sufficient food and secure shelter. The impact of climate change on health is various and ranges from extreme heat, natural disasters over changes in rainfall patterns and infection patterns to mental health issues because of extreme weather events such as anxiety or depression.

Extreme heat waves can cause heat stress and heat strokes. High temperatures raise levels of ozone which exacerbates cardiovascular and respiratory disease. Aeroallergen levels of e.g. pollen are higher in extreme heat, which can trigger asthma (WHO 2018). Already today household air pollution causes 790 000 premature deaths in continental Europe, corresponding to more than 9000 premature deaths in Switzerland (Lelieveld et al. 2018).

Natural disasters mainly force people living in the global south to move houses. However, in mountain regions in Switzerland it is also possible that extreme weather events such as strong storms or fires cause physical injury. Floods contaminate freshwater supplies, heighten the risk of water-borne diseases, and create breeding grounds for disease-carrying insects such as mosquitoes. Floods also cause drownings and physical injuries, damage homes and disrupt the supply of medical and health services (IPCC 2018). With a warming climate it is more likely that tiger mosquitos will increasingly settle down in Ticino, which would consequently lead to more vector-borne diseases (FOPH 2018).

The whole population will be affected by climate change, but some communities are more vulnerable than others. People living in bigger cities or mountain regions are particularly vulnerable. Children are among the most vulnerable to the resulting health risks because they will be exposed longer to the health consequences. Parallel to the corona crisis the health effects are also expected to be more severe for elderly people and people with pre-existing medical conditions (WHO 2018). Furthermore, little research exists with regard to the short- and long-term impacts of climate change on mental health disorders (e.g. depression and anxiety), and the associated financial costs. Climate change affects mental health in a variety of direct, indirect, and overarching pathways—disproportionately affecting those most marginalized (Hayes et al. 2018).

The lack of awareness in society is alarming with regards to the health risks caused by climate change. The population needs to know what issues are likely to come up and who is most endangered. Some may be able to withstand heat better than others, but health is a state of physical and mental well-being, rather than the mere absence of illness. To maintain this well-being a holistic approach to health care will become more important than ever in a changing climate. This entails informing the population about climate related health risks, focusing on prevention, deepening research on how to build resilience to climate change and policies that secure a sustainable work environment for health-workers and qualitative caregivers.

The adaptation strategy should focus both on primary prevention i.e. reduction of exposure to infection and upcoming disease as well as on secondary prevention i.e. health care with regards to infectious diseases.

Many policies such as building resilient infrastructure for extreme weather events, creating enough green cooling places in cities, monitoring vector-borne diseases are vital to protect a population affected by increasing health risks. One example for resilient infrastructure is the use of gray-water for watering green spaces such as parks. This ensures they do not dry out and lose their cooling effect even in times when water is scarce (ISOE 2020). Future changes in the local climate must always be incorporated into the planning of cities and their infrastructure. Additionally, following the example of Serrières, it is essential to include the local population in the process.

Furthermore, there are synergies between climate change mitigation and adaptation. By building clean energy systems and promoting safe public transportation and active movement – such as cycling or walking as alternatives to using private motorized vehicles – carbon emissions and the burden of household air pollution would be reduced. These alternatives to private motorized vehicles would encourage physical exercise and thus significantly benefit public health. These synergies are win-win situations. However, warning the population about times it is not advisable to do physical exercise outdoors, e.g. during a heat wave, is essential to a holistic adaptation policy.

We demand the enhancement of epidemiological surveillance targeted at specific territories. This is necessary because of the expected expansion of endemic infections and their subsequent emergence in new areas. This would be guided by information from climatic scenarios downscaled to specific regions and their implications in relation to disease cycles.

Meteorological services are highly relevant for the development of early warning systems to protect the population from the impacts of extreme weather events. These systems would guide interventions to increase the resilience of communities affected by disasters and reduce their exposure to infection.

A general approach to adaptation that can have health benefits is the enhancement of social capital. This involves the organization of a network of resources and the strengthening of social linkages that can help to reduce vulnerability and increase community resilience. Assessments have pointed to the advantages of social capital for adaptation (Ebi and Semenza 2008) but the barriers for its development have not been fully assessed (Huang et al. 2011). Research has shown that belonging to a social network can have a protective effect against heat-related illness (Naughton et al. 2002) and population groups that are excluded from access to resources and decision making, i.e. groups with low levels of social capital, in the adaptation process are in turn more vulnerable communities (Cutter and Boruff, n.d.) A concrete example for the building of social capital is the project in Serrièrre from the BAFU. Something like this could prove to be especially significant for senior citizens. It’s our aim that there will be more research on how to build resilience to climate change. 

Maintaining a strong health care sector, i.e. avoiding excessive austerity measures, is essential to combating negative health effects from climate change. Care jobs have the potential to be green jobs. Caretaking as it is practiced for example in hospitals or retirement houses requires fewer resources and CO2 emissions tend to be lower compared to sectors involved in the production or distribution of goods. A green job refers to any occupation that is part of the sustainability workforce: a job that contributes to preserving or enhancing the well-being, culture, and governance of both current and future generations, as well as regenerating the natural resources and ecosystems upon which they rely. These green job occupations stand in contrast to work in industries that result in the degradation of ecological systems and the social, cultural, and political institutions that support them. Additionally, it’s important to have more funding for research concerning the relationship of climate change and mental health in order to address these issues properly in the future.

The policies should be put in place as soon as possible to prevent as much damage to the health of the population as possible. Following the Covid19 crisis on one hand, there might be a strong movement from health workers demanding more funding, on the other hand more awareness for the importance of health staff among the population. Thus, it would be a good time to prepare the health system for future climate change related challenges.

Impact 

All these policies would have a long-term positive impact for public health and living conditions in Switzerland.

Social Compatibility

The population would be informed better by the monitoring systems and would be provided tools to build resilience for themselves and their communities.

Questions and Uncertainties

  • How much will this transformation cost in the end? And how much will it cost if we miss to do this transformation?
  • What concrete measures other than the enhancement of social capital can build resilience to climate caused health issues?

Mesure 12.2 : Alternatives au tourisme saisonnier

Les beaux jours des domaines skiables et du tourisme d’hiver tel qu’on le connait sont comptés si l’on exclu la neige artificielle faite par des machines qui ne sont pas écologiques et ne font que retarder l’inévitable.  Les régions qui dépendent du tourisme d’hiver doivent s’adapter aux changements climatiques. Les subventions accompagneront les stations de ski pour qu’elles trouvent des alternatives durables et respectueuses de l’environnement, et pas les entreprises aux modèles économiques à court terme qui ne prennent pas à en compte la durabilité environnementale.

Demanding that subsidies go towards ski resorts developing sustainable long-term alternatives for tourism without artificial snowmaking and mass tourism.

Description

In the Alps the glaciers provide the clearest evidence of the changes brought because of global warming. In recent decades many Alpine glaciers have shrunk to half their earlier size (Bundesamt für Umwelt (2019). The consequences are rock falls, landslides and more mudslides. Global warming is further accentuated by what is referred to as the feedback effect: like a mirror, glaciers reflect solar energy. If the surface area of the mirror is reduced, the amount of reflection also decreases, and the sun heats up the planet even more. There are other reasons why the Alps are particularly impacted by climate change: the warming effect is more pronounced over land masses than over water. This phenomenon is particularly observable in the northern hemisphere, the location of most of the Earth’s landmass – including the Alps.

The Alps are not just a victim, but also a contributing factor to climate change. Alpine regions consume around 10% more energy per capita than the European average (CIPRA 2012). Since most of the buildings in the Alps are in need of renovation, one of the keys to mitigating climate change lies in the construction industry and proper renovation (CIPRA 2012).

Tourism and transport are two other problematic areas for the climate in the Alps. Accounting for over 93% of traffic, motorized road traffic bears a key responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions caused in the Alps. The motor car is used for 84% of holiday travels to the Alps. This is an area where there is an urgent need for innovative ideas and solutions; after all, the Alps are one of the most important holiday region in Europe, and many livelihoods depend on the tourism industry (CIPRA 2012).

Since 1864 the temperature in Switzerland has already risen by 1,8 degrees, roughly twice as much as the global average (Akademien der Wissenschaften Schweiz 2016). The CH2018 report comes to similar numbers. In conclusion there are already some, but in the future many more ski regions will be unable to continue offering their current version of winter tourism without artificial snowmaking. 

Snowmaking machines consume very high amounts of water and energy, thus have high financial costs and also impact alpine ecosystems by i.a. changing the chemical composition of the soil (Casagrande et al. 2019). They do not solve the problem, but only delay the effects of climate change. The water required for snowmaking could be used for agriculture, households or hydroelectric power plants instead. Competition over water has already begun to emerge in some mountain areas of Switzerland and will certainly increase in the future. Not only is artificial snowmaking environmentally unsustainable, it will not be economically sustainable as secure snow regions decrease and thus costs of snowmaking increase.

A possibility would be to invest in year-round activities that are not dependent on snow such as mountain biking or hiking trails. As public concern for environmental protection increases, programs that care for nature, plant trees, protect biodiversity or holiday camps where participants can help in sustainable alpine agriculture might become more attractive. The goal of any policy should be to include everyone disadvantaged by climate change, to be creative and innovative and encourage ski regions to prepare for the future. Therefore, it is necessary that subsidies that go to ski resorts aim at developing sustainable and long-term alternatives for tourism without artificial snowmaking. 

In addition, no further subsidies will be given to short-term business models in ski regions that fail to take environmental sustainability into account. Money, which is provided, should primarily be used to help ski regions diversify their offerings towards whole year solutions to make them more resilient to temperature rises. This can be achieved through measurements, which really evaluate the social and environmental impact of a project.

Financing

No additional money is needed. It just has to be used more effectively and under stronger measurements. The Federal Parliament pledged to give CHF 30 million (SECO, 2012) for the years 2020-2023 to Innotour. 

Impact 

This policy would save many ski regions from future financial difficulties due to a decrease in snowfall and water scarcity issues due to a subsequent increase in snowmaking. Additionally, it would facilitate the transition towards sustainable tourism in the Swiss alps. Furthermore, it would protect alpine ecosystems from the various negative impacts of artificial snowmaking infrastructure and reduce energy consumption. 

Social Compatibility

For working people in the sector of winter-tourism the ProGJ (see chapter Economic and political structure) needs to find suitable alternatives. 

Mesure 12.3 : Cadre légal pour aider les réfugiés climatiques

Partout dans le monde, des personnes sont forcées à se déplacer pour survivre à cause des effets du changement climatique. Le droit d’asile a donc un rôle très important à jouer. L’aide juridique, le développement de lois qui renforcent la protection des personnes déplacées dans le contexte des catastrophes climatiques sont essentiels.

Description

Climate change already has a significant effect on migration and this effect is expected to dramatically increase in the future. The impacts of climate change are numerous. Limited natural resources, such as drinking water, are likely to become even scarcer in many parts of the world. Crops and livestock struggle to survive in the most affected areas. Places where conditions become too hot and dry, or too cold and wet, threaten livelihoods and exacerbate food insecurity (UNHCR n.d.). Due to multiple factors such as thermal expansion and melting ice sheets, the sea level is expected to rise substantially and displace millions living in coastal areas (Bamber et al. 2019). Furthermore, Stanford researchers suggest that intensifying climate change will increase the risk of armed conflict (Mach et al. 2019).

Despite efforts to adapt to the changing environment, individuals around the world are being displaced by the effects of climate change and thus forced to relocate in order to survive. New displacement patterns and competition over depleted natural resources can spark conflict between communities or compound pre-existing vulnerabilities (UNHCR n.d.).

According to the UNHCR report, people who are displaced across borders in the context of climate change and disasters may in some circumstances be in need of international protection. The refugee law therefore has an important role to play in this area. UNHCR is providing protection and assistance for many people displaced by the effects of climate change and disasters, among other drivers, and is working to increase their resilience. Legal advice, guidance and the development of norms to support the enhanced protection of the rights of people displaced in the context of climate change related disasters is therefore needed.

Policymakers have to elaborate the definition “people displaced in the context of disasters and climate change” in the future because it will have severe consequences on which people get help and which do not. To give an idea, this definition could include all people who were forced to leave their homes because of direct natural disasters or economic consequences because of climate change that made it impossible to stay. Furthermore, the definition could also include all refugees who are displaced already and cannot protect themself from natural disasters, heat waves, air pollution, fires etc. 

Financing

There is no big need for additional financing.

Impact

This policy would have a direct impact on all people considered a person displaced in the context of disasters and climate change. They would be protected and supported by Switzerland with legal advice, guidance and the development of norms.

Social Compatibility

Since there would be more people in Switzerland it could offer a positive chance for diversity and immigrants could bring their knowledge to Switzerland. However, society reacting with hostility towards new people is thinkable too, as happened in 2016 with the refugee movement from Syria. On the other hand, Switzerland’s low birthrate is expected to further decrease, like in many industrial countries (FSO n.d.) People displaced in the context of disasters and climate change could help make up for laborers in sectors where there might be lack of personal.

Questions and Uncertainties

  • What exactly constitutes “persons displaced in the context of disasters and climate change”? Climate change is one of many intersecting factors that have an impact on migration. We acknowledge the complexity and multicausality of migration and highlight the need for more research in this area.
  • Furthermore, targeting assistance to “persons displaced in the context of disasters and climate change” would ignore those who were displaced by natural disasters that were not climate change related – such as earthquakes in Haiti or Sichuan – as well as those who were left behind. It would also ignore the needs of many other displaced peoples who flee state collapse, such as in Afghanistan and Iraq, but are not covered by the refugee convention. How should Switzerland address this unequal treatment?
  • Furthermore, research should also focus on reducing the environmental impact of refugee settlements and ensuring sustainable responses to displacement.