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University of Bristol staff and students also have the option to attend this event in-person.  Please see internal event advert.

The Cabot Institute for the Environment and the Elizabeth Blackwell Institute for Health Research invite you to the first in a series of Climate Change and Health seminars. 

In this seminar, Dr Ailish Craig and Leticia Marca will speak about the health implications of climate action planning.

Dr Ailish Craig - How climate science is (not) used in national adaptation planning in southern Africa? Relevance for the health sector.

Ailish Craig is a Research Associate investigating sustainable development and climate adaptation in southern Africa. Ailish’s current research explores the use of climate information in national level decision making in the southern African region. Broadly the research has two key strands: 1) how climate science is utilised within the adaptation planning process and 2) drawing on risk communications literature to test and develop evidence-informed methods of communication for improved comprehension.

Abstract

Climate model projections are increasingly being included within adaptation planning across sectors but there is limited understanding of how they are being used, and to what extent they improve adaptation planning. Using a document analysis of the National Communications and interviews with experts (government personnel, climate scientists and boundary agents) we gain insight in to what, and how, climate science is used in the adaptation planning process in southern Africa. The uncertainty, interpretation and communication of climate projections remain a challenge, however, examples of collaborative engagement and "lessons learnt" are shared that can overcome some of these challenges. Findings that are relevant, and unique, to the health sector are shared that will be of interest in the field of climate and health.

Leticia Marca - How health and vulnerable groups are considered in local government climate change action planning: a document analysis of local climate change action plans and strategies.

Leticia is a Brazilian PhD student in Population Health Science at the University of Bristol. During her career, she has worked with environmental education and epidemiological research which has helped her to comprehend how the environment is connected with human health. This has led her to her current research, which focuses on how local actions and decision-making can contribute to mitigation and adaptation to climate change and its impacts on health and vulnerable groups.

Abstract

Climate change poses a significant threat to global health, particularly vulnerable populations. Local climate action plans and strategies are essential to prevent the worst scenarios and reduce the impact of climate change. To investigate how these plans consider health and vulnerable groups, a document analysis was conducted of local climate action plans and strategies from South West England and Brazil. That allowed a comparison between a high and middle income country. In total, 21 documents (11 from South West England and 10 from Brazil) were investigated. Most of them addressed the co-benefits of implementing local climate change actions or strategies and considered vulnerable groups across their plans. All documents from both areas acknowledge that climate change will have an impact on human health. However, the different regions focused on health in a distinct way. In South West England, for example, all the documents discussed the connection between transport and health, while all the Brazilian documents explored the relation between water and health. These differences can be related to regional health priorities and challenges, and reveal potential opportunities for learning across nations.

Dr Ailish Craig, University of Bristol

Leticia Marca, University of Bristol