Climate Health Adaptation Research Articles

6.E. Round table: Governance and diplomacy of climate health adaptation: roles for public health community

Abstract Planetary health is the health of human civilization and the state of the natural systems on which it depends. (The Lancet commission on planetary health). Climate change puts planetary health under considerable strain. Climate health adaptation is defined as ‘designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating strategies, policies and programs to manage the risks of climate-relevant health outcomes' (WHO 2014). This workshop focuses on the perspective of governance, focusing on three basic coordination issues. Firstly, since climate health adaptation is a relatively new issue, it has not (yet) been organised into laws and regulations assigning clear responsibilities, capacities and resources. As a result, proponents turn to the judiciary for litigation of nation states' compliance with international agreements. Secondly, since climate problems manifest themselves across national borders and continents, there is a need for multilevel governance that requires both local community-based action as well as supranational agreements in resolutions and programs (= vertical coordination). Thirdly, since climate change affects many environmental and social health determinants, such as food systems, migration and water management, climate health adaptation requires a Whole of Society/HiAP approach. Necessary action extends far beyond the health system across different policy sectors, large and small businesses, civil society organisations as well as community initiatives (= horizontal coordination). As a result of these complexities, climate health adaptation rarely reaches the stage of actual policy implementation and goal achievement. This workshop aims to: explore existing literature on planetary health for issues, experiences and possible solutions to the governance and organisation of health adaptation to climate change; introduce principles, methods and institutional examples of multilateral and multilevel governance for planetary health; present examples of early arrangements and strategies for the vertical and horizontal coordination of climate health adaptation to climate change. (EU Green Deal program; Climate Pact; regional climate platforms; climate diplomacy). The workshop consists of three short presentations followed by an interactive panel discussion. After 30 minutes the floor is opened by means of a Mentimeter with which the audience can actively engage in the debate, as well as entering their questions, comments and suggestions through available facilities for interaction. The workshop will end with identifying the current and future necessary roles, responsibilities, capacities of the public health researchers, policymakers, and professionals for climate health diplomacy, network management, and setting up arrangements that offer stable rules for integrative action across different sectors, levels and borders. Key messages We can learn from policy sciences about how climate health adaptation can be organised by multilevel governance (vertical coordination) and Whole of Society governance (horizontal coordination). Working transdisciplinary, public health workers needs to develop skills for climate health diplomacy, network management, and setting up arrangements that offer stable rules for integrative action.

Understanding climate health adaptation in practice: adaptation to the oak processionary moth in The Netherlands

Abstract Background Understanding of climate health adaptation and its organisation and implementation is limited. This presentation focuses on the adaptation to the oak processionary moth (OPM). The OPM spreads out northwards through Europe, and human contact leads to reactions in skin mucous membranes, conjunctivitis, pharyngitis and respiratory distress. Literature has focused largely on the ecology and epidemiology of the OPM. However, there is limited understanding of the organisation and implementation of climate health adaptation knowledge and coordinating an effective response. Methods In an explorative case study we examined the current OPM adaptation strategies in practice. Semi-structured interviews with 26 actors in The Netherlands were held to unravel the problem and the complexities involved in OPM adaptation. Results The results indicate that the context of OPM adaptation is multidimensional, given the involvement of many interdependent actors. At regional and local level early networks emerge aiming to improve the effectiveness of OPM adaptation. At the national level the Knowledge Platform OPM was set up, in which actors collaborate to collect and share knowledge and experience. Nevertheless, OPM strategies are based on ad hoc approaches with ambiguous tasks and expertise. In addition, actors have different perceptions and values concerning health, sustainability, risks and responsibilities influencing decision-making processes, collaboration and a coordinated approach. Conclusions The generation of knowledge and its translation into practical strategies calls for interdisciplinary cooperation in knowledge development. Climate health adaptation involves more than technical and organisational solutions alone. It also entails the development of a shared problem perception and solution space in which citizens are also engaged. Therefore, implementation of vertical and horizontal coordination climate health adaptation strategies are required.

Climate change and health in North America: literature review protocol

BackgroundClimate change is a defining issue and grand challenge for the health sector in North America. Synthesizing evidence on climate change impacts, climate-health adaptation, and climate-health mitigation is crucial for health practitioners and decision-makers to effectively understand, prepare for, and respond to climate change impacts on human health. This protocol paper outlines our process to systematically conduct a literature review to investigate the climate-health evidence base in North America.MethodsA search string will be used to search CINAHL®, Web of Science™, Scopus®, Embase® via Ovid, and MEDLINE® via Ovid aggregator databases. Articles will be screened using inclusion/exclusion criteria by two independent reviewers. First, the inclusion/exclusion criteria will be applied to article titles and abstracts, and then to the full articles. Included articles will be analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods.DiscussionThis protocol describes review methods that will be used to systematically and transparently create a database of articles published in academic journals that examine climate-health in North America.