Climate variability and change and their health effects in small island states: Information for adaptation planning in the health sector / Kristie L.Ebi, Nancy D. Lewis, Carlos F. Corvalan

Abstract

Climate variability is the variation around the average climate, including seasonal variations as well as large-scale variations in atmospheric and ocean circulation such as the EI Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Climate change operates over decades or longer. Changes in climate occur as a result of internal variability within the climate system and external factors (natural and anthropogenic). Although climate is always changing, over the past 10,000 years it has been both relatively stable and warm.