Climate Change-related Events Research Articles

Climate change, climate disasters and oncology care: a descriptive global survey of oncology healthcare professionals.

Climate disasters and climate change have implications for healthcare globally. As the number and intensity of climate disasters increase, it is important to understand the effects on healthcare. We conducted a global survey of oncology healthcare providers to identify awareness, experiences, and educational needs related to climate change. An existing climate and health survey was adapted to oncology. This IRB- approved, 30-item survey measured demographics, climate disaster awareness, effects on cancer care and educational needs. Healthcare professionals employed in oncology settings (practice, research, or academic) were eligible. The survey was disseminated via social media and professional organizations. Descriptive statistics were computed using SPSS. 154 responses from 26 countries were received from nurses (56%), physicians (19%), and other healthcare professionals (25%). Common climate change-related events impacting oncology care were extreme heat (63.8%) and heavy rains (52.2%). Respondents reported their workplace has a disaster plan for climate-related weather events (50.4%) or has taken steps to prepare for a climate-related weather event (48.5%). Respondents were aware that the planet has warmed significantly (98.7%), that healthcare contributes to greenhouse gas emissions (98.6%) and reported wanting to learn more about how climate change affects cancer care (88.3%). Preferred educational modalities include webinars (69%), e-learning (55%), journal articles (48.3%), conferences (46.3%) and podcasts (38.9%). This global survey is the first to identify the awareness, experiences, and educational needs of oncology healthcare professionals related to climate change and climate disasters. Healthcare providers are positioned to take leadership roles related to climate and health.

Determinants of livelihood vulnerability to climate change among the agrarian community: Empirical evidence from the coastal region of Indian Sundarban Biosphere Reserve

The impacts of climate change on the livelihood of agrarian households on the coast of the Indian Sundaraban Biosphere Reserve have not been addressed. Thus, it is important to identify the underlying factors for livelihood vulnerability in this region and know how climate change-related events and socio-economic conditions affect them. This work aimed to measure six major domains of livelihood vulnerability, such as overall livelihood loss, livestock loss, crop and crop area loss, fishing area loss, housing loss, and income loss. I selected the ordered probit regression and focus group discussion approaches. Results revealed that the significant determinant factors of livelihood vulnerability were early warning system, education, land holding size, social group, type of house, occupation, distance to the local market and health centre, membership of self-help group, agreement with summer temperature increased, cyclone increased, flood increased, drought in Kharif season increased. In this region, several agrarian households have taken some adaptation measures such as changing crop varieties, crop diversification, converting agriculture to fishery, and saline tolerant varieties. This approach is adaptable and can be put into practice on different levels, not just in other parts of India but also in diverse developing countries.

Climate change and sexual and reproductive health and rights research in low-income and middle-income countries: a scoping review

IntroductionThis study aimed to provide an overview of the research landscape and to identify research gaps linking climate change events and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in low-income...

Managing Climate Change: Government, NGOs, and Business Strategies and Partnerships for Mitigating against, Preparing for, Adapting to, Responding to and Recovering from Climate Change-Related Events

Managing Climate Change: Government, NGOs, and Business Strategies and Partnerships for Mitigating against, Preparing for, Adapting to, Responding to and Recovering from Climate Change-Related Events

Climate change extreme events and exposure of local communities to water scarcity: a case study of QwaQwa in South Africa

ABSTRACT The exposure of local communities to multiple climate change-related events is on the rise across the globe. Despite extensive disaster research on climate change, exposure and vulnerability, few studies have focused on the exposure of local communities to multiple climate change-related events. For over a decade QwaQwa, in South Africa, has experienced persistent water crises which have been attributed to climate change and socio-economic drivers. However, there is a lack of understanding of the risk drivers to provide a solid basis for disaster risk reduction and resilience-building. This paper; therefore, aims to conduct analyses of hazards and exposure as part of risk analysis of climate change-related events; notably drought, flooding, wildfires, and water scarcity in QwaQwa. Quantitative and qualitative data sources included key informant interviews, household surveys, and field observations. The study employed the indicator method to analyse both the hazard and exposure. Qualitative data were anlysed using thematic analysis. On a five-point scale, the findings showed high indices of multiple hazards (3.6) and exposure (3.2). Analysis results were validated at a stakeholders’ workshop. The study recommends efficiency in implementing risk-sensitive land use plans, improving early warning systems, and the use of unmanned aerial vehicles to mitigate disaster risks.

Climate change impacts on child and adolescent health and well-being: A narrative review.

Worldwide, the climate is changing and affecting the health and well-being of children in many ways. In this review, we provided an overview of how climate change-related events may affect child and adolescent health and well-being, including children's mental and physical health, nutrition, safety and security, learning opportunities, and family caregiving and connectedness. In this narrative review, we highlighted and discussed peer-reviewed evidence from 2012-23, primarily from meta-analyses and systematic reviews. The search strategy used a large and varied number of search terms across three academic databases to identify relevant literature. There was consistent evidence across systematic reviews of impact on four themes. Climate-related events are associated with a) increases in posttraumatic stress and other mental health disorders in children and adolescents, b) increases in asthma, respiratory illnesses, diarrheal diseases and vector-borne diseases, c) increases in malnutrition and reduced growth and d) disruptions to responsive caregiving and family functioning, which can be linked to poor caregiver mental health, stress and loss of resources. Evidence of violence against children in climate-related disaster contexts is inconclusive. There is a lack of systematic review evidence on the associations between climate change and children's learning outcomes. Systematic review evidence consistently points to negative associations between climate change and children's physical and mental health, well-being, and family functioning. Yet, much remains unknown about the causal pathways linking climate-change-related events and mental and physical health, responsive relationships and connectedness, nutrition, and learning in children and adolescents. This evidence is urgently needed so that adverse health and other impacts from climate change can be prevented or minimised through well-timed and appropriate action.

Developing a cultural geomorphology of hazards for heritage conservation: reflections from Majuli Island of India

Cultural Geomorphology attempts to find the relationships between cultural elements and geomorphological features of a region. Such studies have proven invaluable to understanding the interactions between culture and geomorphology and have formed an important part of the epistemology of nature-society studies. Using concepts of Cultural Geomorphology, the current study argues for the need to develop a Cultural Geomorphology of hazards. The study shows that such a work will be invaluable in preserving the knowledge of cultural heritage sites that are at risk of being permanently lost because of the changing landscape brought about by natural hazards or climate change related events.

Climate Change Effects and Stock Market Returns

To capture climate change risk at the business level, use records of performance briefings from different enterprises. This examination discovers that chances of worst climate change, the negative impact of business environment risk on market stock returns. Study also conducts a broad assessment of the empirical and theoretical literature on the influence of climate change related risks on financial market. The main aim of this analysis is to enhance our knowledge of the estimation significances of climate change risk in financial markets. It is initiated by discussing the theoretical connections between market asset pricing and climate change related risks, and then propose a hypothesis of how climate change risk drivers convey costs to enterprises and cause stock returns variations. It studies the historical climate change related events, which indicate that both climate physical effects and transition dynamics can cause a stock return volatility. Finally, the results imply that disclosures of climate change related information can support the stock market in more efficiently as pricing climate risk.

Bolstering health systems to cope with the impacts of climate change events: A review of the evidence on workforce planning, upskilling, and capacity building.

As global CO2 emissions continue to rise and the 'era of global boiling' takes hold, the health workforce must cope with the challenge of providing care to increasing numbers of patients affected by climate change-related events (e.g., hurricanes, wildfires, floods). In this review, we describe the impacts of these events on the health workforce, and strategies responding to these challenges. This rapid systematic review was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses and a registered protocol (PROSPERO CRD42023433610). Eight databases were searched in May 2022 and again in June 2023. Empirical studies discussing climate change and workforce policy, planning, preparedness, and capacity were included. Inductive thematic analysis of extracted data was conducted. From the 60 included studies, two categories emerged: the impacts of climate events on the health workforce (n=39), and workforce responses to and preparations for climate events (n=58). Thirty-seven studies reported on both categories. Four impact themes were identified: absenteeism, psychological impacts, system breakdown, and unsafe working conditions; and six responses and preparations themes: training/skill development, workforce capacity planning, interdisciplinary collaboration, role flexibility, role incentivisation, and psychological support. This review provides an overview of some of the deleterious impacts of climate events on the health workforce, as well as potential strategies for the health workforce to prepare or respond to climate events. Future studies should assess the implementation and effectiveness of these strategies to ensure a continuously improving healthcare system, and a well-supported health workforce.

Banks’ environmental policies and banks’ financial stability

We study whether environmental engagement of banks mitigates the effects of natural disasters and climate-change related events on financial stability. Employing an extensive global dataset with quarterly data (2003–2019; 5,317 observations), our analysis reveals that environmental innovation financing, product responsibility, and resource reduction policies are able to curtail the repercussions on stability of economic costs due to environmental events. We also find that the lending function of banks is a relevant mediating channel for this relationship. Since borrowers’ vulnerability to climate issues may be reflected in non-performing loans, banks’ environmental engagement provides protection against future related credit losses. Moreover, by capitalizing on global disasters as quasi-natural experiments, we provide empirical evidence confirming that a stronger environmental engagement of banks enhances their post-event financial resilience. Taken together, our results convey several key implications: i) bank executives can improve financial stability by embracing environmental policies, ii) stronger regulatory actions towards environmental sensitivity in the banking sector is supported, and iii) environmentally engaged banking systems can mitigate the economic costs associated with climate change and environmental disasters.

Bridging the Gap: Communicating with Emergency Management Professionals in the Midst of Climate-Related Disasters

Abstract Objective The objective of this research is to assess how New York City Health + Hospitals emergency management professionals (EMPs) perceive climate change-related events, to a.) improve communication for increased receptivity and b.) identify gaps in perceived risks. Methods The study surveys EMPs from 13 geographically different healthcare facilities in NYC about their perceptions on climate change and its related emergency scenarios, preferred information sources on climate change, and the best modes of communication during climate-related extreme weather events. Results The results of this study support a.) the importance of official hospital-system guidance regarding climate risks b.) the use of a diverse array of terminology, including messaging that refrains from the phrase ‘climate change’ and instead refers to the ‘future’ c.) the incorporation of clear actionable deliverables and d.) the inclusion of expert voices into messaging. Overall, recent events and upcoming seasonal hazards appear to affect perception of risk more than objective measures. Knowledge of city and temporal factors that impact perceived risk can be mobilized to harness engagement. Conclusions The results of this study inform best practices for climate communications to EMPs, critical in preparing our health systems for future climate disasters.

Mental Health Impacts of Climate Change Among Vulnerable Populations Globally: An Integrative Review.

Climate change has been shown to be directly linked to multiple physiological sequelae and to impact health consequences. However, the impact of climate change on mental health globally, particularly among vulnerable populations, is less well understood. To explore the mental health impacts of climate change in vulnerable populations globally. We performed an integrative literature review to identify published articles that addressed the research question: What are the mental health impacts of climate change among vulnerable populations globally? The Vulnerable Populations Conceptual Model served as a theoretical model during the review process and data synthesis. One hundred and four articles were selected for inclusion in this review after a comprehensive review of 1828 manuscripts. Articles were diverse in scope and populations addressed. Land-vulnerable persons (either due to occupation or geographic location), Indigenous persons, children, older adults, and climate migrants were among the vulnerable populations whose mental health was most impacted by climate change. The most prevalent mental health responses to climate change included solastalgia, suicidality, depression, anxiety/eco-anxiety, PTSD, substance use, insomnia, and behavioral disturbance. Mental health professionals including physicians, nurses, physician assistants and other healthcare providers have the opportunity to mitigate the mental health impacts of climate change among vulnerable populations through assessment, preventative education and care. An inclusive and trauma-informed response to climate-related disasters, use of validated measures of mental health, and a long-term therapeutic relationship that extends beyond the immediate consequences of climate change-related events are approaches to successful mental health care in a climate-changing world.

Psycho-social factors associated with climate distress, hope and behavioural intentions in young UK residents.

Although the UK has been relatively spared significant geophysical impacts of climate change, many people, youth in particular, are increasingly worried about climate change. The psychological distress associated with the (perceived) threat of climate change has been linked to poorer mental wellbeing but can also promote adaptive responses such as engagement in pro-environmental behaviour. In this mixed methods study, we delve deeper into the experience of 'climate distress' among UK residents aged 16-24 (N = 539). We conducted an online survey assessing general mental health, subjective wellbeing, and climate distress with existing scales. We also included novel questions assessing positive and negative life impacts of climate change, open-ended questions on aspirations and priorities for the future, and engagement in pro-environmental and climate actions. Our findings indicate that mental health factors may contribute to vulnerability to climate distress. Predictably, socio-psychological responses to climate change (i.e., frustration over inaction, lack of control, and shame or guilt about one's own contributions) were linked to higher scores on the climate distress scale. Negatively appraised climate change-related events (i.e., seeing an environment they care about change for the worse) were associated with higher climate distress. Individuals with high climate distress (10.1% of our sample) reported worrying about the impact of climate change on their own future more frequently than any other topic surveyed (including personal finance, career, relationships, politics). Both positive (hope/interest) and negative (anger/frustration) emotions inspired action-taking, especially climate activism, which was negatively predicted by guilt/shame and sadness/fear. Private-sphere pro-environmental actions appeared less driven by strong emotions. Overall, our findings present a more nuanced picture of climate distress in terms of emotional responses, behaviour, and mental health. Longitudinal research is urgently needed to understand how distress may change over time, and the conditions that lead to adaptive and maladaptive outcomes.

Does food biodiversity protect against malnutrition and favour the resilience to climate change-related events in Amazon Indigenous communities? A protocol for a mixed methods study

Background: Undernutrition is projected to be a major consequence of climate change. Biodiversity could enhance climate change resilience by improving nutritional outcomes and providing healthy food resources during and/or after climate-related events. For Indigenous populations who currently base their diet on local biodiversity, rapid climate changes may affect their ability to produce, access or gather food and consequently impact their nutritional status. There is a knowledge gap regarding whether nutritional status among Indigenous populations is better among those who consume a diet with greater biodiversity than those who have a diet with low biodiversity. Objective: This study aims to investigate the role of food biodiversity (FBD) in nutritional resilience to extreme flooding events of Shawi Amazon Indigenous adults living in Peruvian communities that have experienced extreme floods in the past five years. Methods: This study will use a mixed-method sequential explanatory design. The quantitative component includes a cross-sectional survey to assess the association between food biodiversity (FBD) and the prevalence of anaemia in adults aged 15 to 60 years old (n=365). Anaemia will be evaluated using blood hemoglobin and serum ferritin. FBD will be measured with a food frequency questionnaire and a 24-hour dietary recall. Soil-transmitted helminth infections, malaria, and inflammatory biomarkers will also be evaluated. Qualitative component will include a community-based participatory approach to investigate the role of FBD in the responses to extreme floods. Male (n=14) and female (n=14) participants, previously identified in the quantitative phase with high and low levels of FBD, will be invited to participate in a Photovoice activity and semi-structured interviews. A analytical framework for climate change resilience will be used to integrate the data. Discussion: Findings will be integrated to identify features of diet quality to suggest nutritional interventions that are resilient to changing climatic conditions in the Amazon and respect Indigenous views.

Twitter communication during winter storm Uri in San Antonio, Texas - Implications for climate resiliency planning

Winter Storm Uri hit Texas in February 2021, leaving millions of people without power. This winter storm and energy crisis provide an example of failed climate planning but present an opportunity to understand response and resiliency during climate change-related events in Texas. Comparing the impacts experienced by the public to communications of elected officials and utility providers could help us understand whether their responses were sufficient enough to address the needs of the communities during the disaster. We performed text content analyses on Twitter data collected from San Antonio's elected officials, utility providers, and the public during the pre- and post-disaster periods. The results demonstrate three major outcomes: 1) elected officials' Twitter activities spiked during the storm which focused on warnings, resources, and situation updates but not so much on recovery, 2) while the public discussed the storm concerning climate change, climate change was largely missing from the elected officials' and utility providers' tweets, and lastly 3) communications did not lead to sufficient action to prepare for future climate change-related crises.

Climate change and stock market: a review

Climate change-related events are having a growing impact on the economy and financial markets. However, it is still difficult to quantify how climate change affects the financial system. The purpose of this research is to provide an overview of the relationship between climate risk factors and the stock market. The review focuses on the regions and methodologies used based on the selected publications for the past five years. The results revealed that most studies focused on developed economies, like those in the US and Europe, and adopted time series and panel regression in the analysis. The findings imply that future studies may focus on a wider range of issues, including developing countries and more advanced techniques in the analysis. The study also showed that, based on the evidence currently available, little is known about how investors assess climate threats; hence, a future study may close this knowledge gap. However, since this research reviewed the selected studies for the last five years, it has several limitations. A comprehensive investigation is needed, especially regarding the potential impacts of the pandemic on the environment and how it could spread to the stock market.

Infrastructure Adaptation and Climate Resilience for California’s National Forests

This paper describes the road infrastructure found in California’s national forests, their vulnerabilities, and specific measures that can be taken to adapt to projected climate change effects, thus minimizing damage from fires and storms. Over the past 40 years this region has been hit by numerous climate change–related events including droughts, major forest fires, major storms, and flooding. Billions of dollars in damage have been sustained and numerous lives lost. It is necessary now to assess vulnerabilities, rank resources at risk, and prioritize adaptation actions. The Forest Service has recently been involved in infrastructure vulnerability assessment and adaptation strategy projects involving climate model studies, interviews, a literature review, local workshops, website information, and publication of the project findings. Different agency vulnerability assessment methods have been reviewed to establish a functional assessment and risk analysis methodology. Efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change have included greenhouse gas reduction from agency vehicles, evaluating alternative transportation routes, implementing energy-saving measures, and identifying “stormproofing” road design measures to reduce the vulnerability of roads to extreme climate-related events. Much of the effort has been the identification of road adaptation and resiliency measures, particularly measures that are practical and implementable at minimum cost. These measures include: routine road maintenance; relocating road segments as needed; adding trash racks and diversion prevention dips to prevent culvert failures; building stream simulation projects; protecting bridges from debris and scour; covering soil with deep-rooted vegetation; and using soil bioengineering stabilization and deep-patch shoulder reinforcement to prevent local slope failures.

Towards applying the essential public health functions for building health systems resilience: A renewed list and key enablers for operationalization.

The COVID-19 pandemic, climate change-related events, protracted conflicts, economic stressors and other health challenges, call for strong public health orientation and leadership in health system strengthening and policies. Applying the essential public health functions (EPHFs) represents a holistic operational approach to public health, which is considered to be an integrated, sustainable, and cost-effective means for supporting universal health coverage, health security and improved population health and wellbeing. As a core component of the Primary Health Care (PHC) Operational Framework, EPHFs also support the continuum of health services from health promotion and protection, disease prevention to treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative services. Comprehensive delivery of EPHFs through PHC-oriented health systems with multisectoral participation is therefore vital to meet population health needs, tackle public health threats and build resilience. In this perspective, we present a renewed EPHF list consisting of twelve functions as a reference to foster country-level operationalisation, based on available authoritative lists and global practices. EPHFs are presented as a conceptual bridge between prevailing siloed efforts in health systems and allied sectors. We also highlight key enablers to support effective implementation of EPHFs, including high-level political commitment, clear national structures for institutional stewardship on EPHFs, multisectoral accountability and systematic assessment. As countries seek to transform health systems in the context of recovery from COVID-19 and other public health emergencies, the renewed EPHF list and enablers can inform public health reform, PHC strengthening, and more integrated recovery efforts to build resilient health systems capable of managing complex health challenges for all people.

Turning up the heat: A conceptual model for understanding the migration and health in the context of global climate change

BackgroundThe triangular relationship between climate change-related events, patterns of human migration and their implications for health is an important yet understudied issue. To improve understanding of this complex relationship, a comprehensive, interdisciplinary conceptual model will be useful. This paper investigates relationships between these factors and considers their impacts for affected populations globally. MethodsA desk review of key literature was undertaken. An open-ended questionnaire consisting of 11 items was designed focusing on three themes: predicting population migration by understanding key variables, health implications, and suggestions on policy and research. After using purposive sampling we selected nine experts, reflecting diverse regional and professional backgrounds directly related to our research focus area. All responses were thematically analysed and key themes from the survey were synthesised to construct the conceptual model focusing on describing the relationship between global climate change, migration and health implications and a second model focusing on actionable suggestions for organisations working in the field, academia and policymakers. ResultsKey themes which constitute our conceptual model included: a description of migrant populations perceived to be at risk; health characteristics associated with different migratory patterns; health implications for both migrants and host populations; the responsibilities of global and local governance actors; and social and structural determinants of health. Less prominent themes were aspects related to slow-onset migratory patterns, voluntary stay, and voluntary migration. Actionable suggestions include an interdisciplinary and innovative approach to study the phenomenon for academicians, preparedness and globalized training and awareness for field organisations and migrant inclusive and climate sensitive approach for policymakers. ConclusionContrary to common narratives, participants framed the impacts of climate change-related events on migration patterns and their health implications as non-linear and indirect, comprising many interrelated individual, social, cultural, demographic, geographical, structural, and political determinants. An understanding of these interactions in various contexts is essential for risk reduction and preventative measures. The way forward broadly includes inclusive and equity-based health services, improved and faster administrative systems, less restrictive (im)migration policies, globally trained staff, efficient and accessible research, and improved emergency response capabilities. The focus should be to increase preventative and adaptation measures in the face of any environmental changes and respond efficiently to different phases of migration to aim for better “health for all and promote universal well-being” (WHO) (World Health Organization 1999).

Does food biodiversity protect against malnutrition and favour the resilience to climate change-related events in Amazon Indigenous communities? A protocol for a mixed methods study.

Background : Undernutrition is projected to be a major consequence of climate change. Biodiversity could enhance climate change resilience by improving nutritional outcomes and providing healthy food resources during and/or after climate-related events. For Indigenous populations who currently base their diet on local biodiversity, rapid climate changes may affect their ability to produce, access or gather food and consequently impact their nutritional status. There is a knowledge gap regarding whether nutritional status among Indigenous populations is better among those who consume a diet with greater biodiversity than those who have a diet with low biodiversity. Objective : This study aims to investigate the role of food biodiversity (FBD) in nutritional resilience to extreme flooding events of Shawi Amazon Indigenous adults living in Peruvian communities that have experienced extreme floods in the past five years. Methods : This study will use a mixed-method sequential explanatory design. The quantitative component includes a cross-sectional survey to assess the association between food biodiversity (FBD) and the prevalence of anaemia in adults aged 15 to 60 years old (n=365). Anaemia will be evaluated using blood hemoglobin and serum ferritin. FBD will be measured with a food frequency questionnaire and a 24-hour dietary recall. Soil-transmitted helminth infections, malaria, and inflammatory biomarkers will also be evaluated. The qualitative component will include a community-based participatory approach to investigate the role of FBD in the responses to extreme floods. Male (n=14) and female (n=14) participants, previously identified in the quantitative phase with high and low levels of FBD, will be invited to participate in a Photovoice activity and semi-structured interviews. A analytical framework for climate change resilience will be used to integrate the data. Discussion : Findings will be integrated to identify nutritional resilience indicators that can inform adaptative interventions to changing climatic conditions in the Amazon and that respect Indigenous worldviews.