Climate related diseases. Current regional variability and projections to the year 2100

The health of individuals and societies depends on different factors including atmospheric conditions which influence humans in direct and indirect ways. The paper presents regional variability of some climate related diseases (CRD) in Poland: salmonellosis intoxications, Lyme boreliosis, skin cancers (morbidity and mortality), influenza, overcooling deaths, as well as respiratory and circulatory mortality. The research consisted of two stages: 1) statistical modelling basing on past data and 2) projections of CRD for three SRES scenarios of climate change (A1B, A2, B1) to the year 2100. Several simple and multiply regression models were found for the relationships between climate variables and CRD. The models were applied to project future levels of CRD. At the end of 21st century we must expect increase in: circulatory mortality, Lyme boreliosis infections and skin cancer morbidity and mortality. There is also projected decrease in: respiratory mortality, overcooling deaths and influenza infections

Assessment of urban thermal stress by UTCI – experimental and modelling studies: an example from Poland

The paper presents a new approach to the study of the spatial variability of heat stress in urban areas. The Universal Thermal Climate Index UTCI was applied for this purpose. The spatial variability of UTCI at the local scale was studied using examples of urban areas with different sizes and geographical locations. The experimental research on urban heat stress was conducted in Warsaw. The research covers both differences between UTCI in urban to rural areas as well as the variation of heat stress within small residential districts in Warsaw. We found a very large and significant heat stress gradient between downtown Warsaw and rural stations. Spatial variability of UTCI was also observed in microclimate research. A modelling approach was presented based on examples from Warsaw, a city with a population of almost 2 million, as well as examples from several spa towns with populations of up to 40,000 located in various parts of Poland. GIS analysis (ArcGIS for Desktop and IDRISI) was applied for this purpose

Seasonal and regional differences in lighting conditions and their influence on melatonin secretion

The paper presents essential results of multidisciplinary research dealing with differences in lighting conditions (natural and/or artificial) and their possible influence on melatonin secretion studied in Fukuoka (Japan) and in Warszawa (Poland). Several characteristics of lighting were considered (intensity of global 0.4-3.0 μm, visible 0.4 0.76 μm solar radiation, illuminance (lux), peak irradiance (μW∙cm−2∙nm−1), Color Corresponded Temperature (CCT, K) and peak wave length (nm)). Diurnal cycle of melatonin secretion was examined at volunteers (Poland – 15, Japan – 18), young male and female (21–33 years). Saliva samples were collected at 3h intervals, beginning at 10:00h on Thursday with subsequent sampling times at 13:00, 16:00, 19:00, 22:00 and at 01:00, 04:00 07:00h on Friday. Melatonin concentration (MC) was measured by commercials ELISA kit tests

POLAND’S “FAMILY 500+” PROGRAM AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS OF FAMILY AND DEMOGRAPHIC POLICY

The goal of this article was to identify and characterize the socio-economic effects of the introduction of the “Family 500+” program in Poland. The research part focused on checking the implementation of the assumptions, which were placed on the introduction of the "Family 500+" program. The main focus of the study was fertility, the improvement of which is a key goal of the program. The research methods used in the article were: data analysis method - data on the number of births of children in Poland, the fertility rate as well as the method of synthesis, inference and interpretation were analyzed. On the basis of the data analysis, conclusions were drawn and their nature explained. This was done in order to reflect on the effectiveness of public spending on the "Family 500+" program. To achieve the intended objective, research and analysis were carried out using selected indicators and statistical data. Their results allowed to verify the effectiveness of public funds spent on the indicated program

Digital topoclimatic maps of Warsaw

Cyfrowe mapy topoklimatyczne Warszawy są efektem pierwszego etapu badań mającego na celu stworzenie bazy danych o środowisku fizyczno-geograficznym tej aglomeracji. Przy tworzeniu bazy danych zastosowano metody GIS. Wykonano mapy elementów meteorologicznych (temperatury powietrza, prędkości wiatru i całkowitego promieniowania słonecznego) oraz mapy zanieczyszczenia powietrza. Przy zastosowaniu modelu MENEX obliczono ilość ciepła zmagazynowanego przez organizm człowieka i promieniowania słonecznego pochłoniętego przez człowieka. W końcowym etapie wykonano syntetyczne mapy, np. obciążenia cieplnego człowieka, topoklimatyczną i biotopoklimatyczną.Digital topoclimatic maps of Warsaware the effect of the first step of the studies dealing with creation of the data base of physico-geographical environment of this agglomeration. GIS methods are used in this purpose. At present there were made basic maps of meteorological elements (air temperature, wind speed and global solar radiation) as well as air pollution maps. With the use of the MENEX model there were calculated maps of net heat storage of the human organism and solar radiation absorbed by man. Finally some synthetic maps were made e.g. heat load of man, topoclimatic and biotopoclimatic (which takes into account heat load of man and air pollution)

Climate changes and their impact on construction and living comfort for city residents, the example of Warsaw

Stały rozwój terytorialny miast jest drugim, obok zmiany klimatu, czynnikiem pociągającym za sobą istotne pogorszenie jakości ich środowiska. Tendencji tej ulega m.in. klimat lokalny obszarów zurbanizowanych, co przejawia się przede wszystkim wzrostem temperatury powietrza oraz zakłóceniem reżimu opadowego. Zmiany klimatu mają duży wpływ na sektor budownictwa zarówno na etapie powstawania, jak i eksploatacji inwestycji oraz – poprzez coraz trudniejsze warunki mikro-i bioklimatyczne – na warunki życia mieszkańców miast. W artykule przedstawiono historyczny, aktualny i prognozowany stan klimatu w Warszawie rozpoznany z punktu widzenia oddziaływania na budownictwo (w kontekście tzw. Umownych Kategorii Klimatu) i komfort życia mieszkańców obszarów zurbanizowanych. Do analiz wykorzystano wyniki obserwacji prowadzonych na stacji meteorologicznej Warszawa–Okęcie w okresie 1971-2020 oraz symulacji dla okresu 2021-2070 według scenariuszy RCP4.5 i RCP8.5, udostępnione w bazie danych METEONORM 8.0. Zarówno historyczne, jak i prognozowane cechy klimatu Warszawy wskazują, że największe zmiany dotyczą warunków termicznych. Wartości temperatury powietrza od wielu lat systematycznie wzrastają (średnio o około 0,5°C/10 lat) i proces ten będzie trwał w przyszłości. Wyraźnie mniejsze zmiany mają miejsce w przypadku reżimu opadowego i wiatrowego. Obserwowana zmiana klimatu stanowi duże wyzwanie dla mieszkańców i władz miasta oraz architektów i urbanistów. Artykuł zawiera kilka propozycji rozwiązania tych problemów poprzez zmiany w zagospodarowaniu przestrzeni miejskich.The constant territorial development of cities is the second factor, apart from climate change, which entails a significant deterioration in the quality of their environment. This tendency is followed by the local climate of urbanized areas, which is manifested primarily by the increase in air temperature and the disruption of the precipitation regime. Climate change has a major impact on the construction sector, both at the stage of planning and operation of investments, and – trough increasingly difficult micro- and bioclimatic conditions – on the living conditions of city dwellers. The article presents the historical, current and projected state of the climate in Warsaw recognized from the point of view of its impact on construction (through analysis of so-called Conventional Climate Categories) and on the comfort of life of the residents of urban areas. The results of observations conducted at the Warszawa–Okęcie meteorological station in the period 1971-2020 and simulations for the period 2021-2070 according to the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, available in the METEONORM 8.0 database, were used for the analysis of so-called Conventional Climate Categories as well as their influence on micro- and bioclimatic conditions and on the living conditions of city dwellers. Both historical and projected features of Warsaw’s climate indicate that the greatest changes concern thermal conditions. Air temperature values have been steadily increasing for many years (on average by about 0.5°C/10 years) and this process will continue in the future. Significantly smaller changes take place in the case of precipitation and wind regimes. The observed climate changes pose a great challenge for the inhabitants and city authorities, as well as for architects and urban planners. The article contains several proposals for solving these problems through changes in the development of urban spaces

Heat strain and mortality effects of prolonged Central European heat wave : an example of June 2019 in Poland

The occurrence of long-lasting severe heat stress, such as in July-August 2003, July 2010, or in April-May 2018 has been one of the biggest meteorological threats in Europe in recent years. The paper focuses on the biometeorological and mortality effects of the hot June that was observed in Central Europe in 2019. The basis of the study was hourly and daily Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) values at meteorological stations in Poland for June 2019. The average monthly air temperature and UTCI values from 1951 to 2018 were analysed as background. Grosswetterlagen calendar of atmospheric circulation was used to assess synoptic conditions of heat wave. Several heat strain measures were applied : net heat storage (S), modelled heart rate (HR), sultriness (HSI), and UTCI index. Actual total mortality (TM) and modelled strong heat-related mortality (SHRM) were taken as indicators of biometeorological consequences of the hot June in 2019. The results indicate that prolonged persistence of unusually warm weather in June 2019 was determined by the synoptic conditions occurring over the European region and causing advection of tropical air. They led to the emergence of heat waves causing 10% increase in TM and 5 times bigger SHRM then in preceding 10 years. Such increase in SHRM was an effect of overheating and overload of circulatory system of human organism

Isaac Albéniz’s Iberia as the Eternal Memory of Andalusia

Iberia Isaaca Albéniza jako wieczna pamięć o Andaluzji Artykuł to studium przypadku obrazujące zjawisko pamięci historyczno-kulturowej regionu Andaluzji w twórczości Isaaca Albéniza, hiszpańskiego kompozytora muzyki klasycznej przełomu XIX i XX wieku . Omawia jego najwybitniejsze dzieło – Iberia w kontekście zagadnienia tożsamości narodowej, historii i kultury Andaluzji. Zawiera rys historyczny poszczególnych andaluzyjskich regionów oraz korespondencję Albéniza.The article is a case study illustrating the phenomenon of historical and cultural memory of the Andalusia region in the work of Isaac Albéniz, a famous Spanish composer of classical music on the turn of the 19th and 20th century. The article discusses the most outstanding composition of I. Albéniz Iberia in the context of the issue of national identity, history and culture of Andalusia. It contains a historical outline of individual Andalusian regions and Albéniz’s letters

Heat stress and occupational health and safety – spatial and temporal differentiation

Evidence of climatic health hazards on the general population has been discussed in many studies but limited focus is placed on developing a relationship between climate and its effects on occupational health. Long working hours with high physical activity can cause health problems for workers ranging from mild heat cramps to severe heat stroke leading to death. The paper presents the possible risk of heat hazard to outdoor workers, using the example of Warsaw. The heat stress hazard, defined by WBGT values above 26 and 28°C and UTCI above 32 and 38°C, is assessed from two perspectives: its spatial distribution on a local scale and its temporal changes during the 21st century due to climate change. City centre and industrial districts were identified as the places with the greatest heat stress hazard. The number of heat stress days in a year (as predicted for the 21st century) is increasing, meaning that heat-related illnesses are more likely to have a direct impact on workers’ health

Heat stress and occupational health and safety – spatial and temporal differentiation

Evidence of climatic health hazards on the general population has been discussed in many studies but limited focus is placed on developing a relationship between climate and its effects on occupational health. Long working hours with high physical activity can cause health problems for workers ranging from mild heat cramps to severe heat stroke leading to death. The paper presents the possible risk of heat hazard to outdoor workers, using the example of Warsaw. The heat stress hazard, defined by WBGT values above 26 and 28°C and UTCI above 32 and 38°C, is assessed from two perspectives: its spatial distribution on a local scale and its temporal changes during the 21st century due to climate change. City centre and industrial districts were identified as the places with the greatest heat stress hazard. The number of heat stress days in a year (as predicted for the 21st century) is increasing, meaning that heat-related illnesses are more likely to have a direct impact on workers’ health