Bolstering community resilience through health-focused climate change adaptation: moving from talk to action in Western Canadian communities

Desiree Rose and S. Jeff Birchall

Climate Policy, 2024, vol. 24, issue 9, 1225-1241

Abstract: The impacts of climate change have been recognized as a global health emergency. Worsening climate stressors are resulting in injury, illness and death. As this threat to health grows, so does the need to adapt. Climate change adaptation has been noted to reduce the risk of disease transmission, chronic illness exacerbation, physical trauma, and the mental health impacts associated with climate change. Cities across Western Canada have initiated the process of implementing health-focused climate change adaptation; however, progress has been slow, leaving communities vulnerable to health threats. Exploring five case study communities in Western Canada, this research sheds light on factors that enable and constrain progress on health-focused climate change adaptation. Research objectives are addressed through analysis of 16 key actor interviews (with experts in public health, planning, local governance, and other related fields), and a scan of relevant strategic planning documents. Results indicate that political will, expertise, and awareness has resulted in the development of health-focused climate change adaptation policy/ plans. However, implementation of these plans lags in practice. This lag stems from a lack of implementation detail in climate change adaptation plans, limited understanding of the impact of climate change on health, and jurisdictional confusion.In Western Canadian communities, implementation of health-focused climate change adaptation policy and plans lags in practice.Health-focused strategies within climate change adaptation plans are often vague. Plans must be revised to include implementation and monitoring details, to help facilitate their actualization.The impact of climate change on health is not broadly recognized by community residents. Reframing public understanding of climate change from an environmental issue to a public health issue will translate into increased support for action.Jurisdictional blurriness significantly impedes efforts. Role clarification and improved delineation of responsibilities via enhanced multi-level government coordination will help to resolve action hesitancy at the local level.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1080/14693062.2024.2395920

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