Adaptation strategies for health impacts of climate change in Western Australia: Application of a Health Impact Assessment framework
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health Impact Assessment, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Curtin University of Technology, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia (Australia)
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the globe and there is substantial evidence that this will result in a number of health impacts, regardless of the level of greenhouse gas mitigation. It is therefore apparent that a combined approach of mitigation and adaptation will be required to protect public health. While the importance of mitigation is recognised, this project focused on the role of adaptation strategies in addressing the potential health impacts of climate change. The nature and magnitude of these health impacts will be determined by a number of parameters that are dependent upon the location. Firstly, climate change will vary between regions. Secondly, the characteristics of each region in terms of population and the ability to adapt to changes will greatly influence the extent of the health impacts that are experienced now and into the future. Effective adaptation measures therefore need to be developed with these differences in mind. A Health Impact Assessment (HIA) framework was used to consider the implications of climate change on the health of the population of Western Australia (WA) and to develop a range of adaptive responses suited to WA. A broad range of stakeholders participated in the HIA process, providing informed input into developing an understanding of the potential health impacts and potential adaptation strategies from a diverse sector perspective. Potential health impacts were identified in relation to climate change predictions in WA in the year 2030. The risk associated with each of these impacts was assessed using a qualitative process that considered the consequences and the likelihood of the health impact occurring. Adaptations were then developed which could be used to mitigate the identified health impacts and provide responses which could be used by Government for future decision making. The periodic application of a HIA framework is seen as an ideal tool to develop appropriate adaptation strategies to address the potential health impacts of climate change.
- OSTI ID:
- 21499685
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Vol. 31, Issue 3; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.eiar.2010.07.001; PII: S0195-9255(10)00091-0; Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; ISSN 0195-9255
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
CLIMATIC CHANGE
DECISION MAKING
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
FORECASTING
GREENHOUSE GASES
HEALTH HAZARDS
MITIGATION
PERIODICITY
POPULATIONS
PUBLIC HEALTH
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALASIA
AUSTRALIA
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
HAZARDS
PUBLIC OPINION
VARIATIONS