IHACC investigator, Sherilee Harper co-led a chapter in the recently released Health Canada report titled, Health of Canadians in a Changing Climate: Advancing our Knowledge for Action. This report assesses health risks of climate change to Canadians, to ensure effective measures are taken to protect health now and in the future.
9 key takeaway messages include:
Climate change impacts the health of Canadians now
Risks increase as warming continues: the greater the warming, the greater the threats
Impacts are inequitably & unjustly distributed
Climate change already impacts our health system & impacts will increase
Preparing for climate change reduces risk & protects health: We must act NOW
Climate change impacts on Indigenous Peoples’ health are inequitably high
To prevent health impacts of climate change, decision makers must take adaptation actions that are inclusive & equitable
Increased efforts to reduce emissions are urgently required to help protect the health of Canadians
Reducing emissions can provide very large and immediate health co-benefits to Canadians
Access the report here.
CITATION
Berry, P., & Schnitter, R. (Eds.). (2022). Health of Canadians in a Changing Climate: Advancing our Knowledge for Action. Ottawa, ON: Government of Canada