A cyclist makes their way along a roadway in a lane marked for bicycles, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in Ottawa. Bodies and minds are just as affected by climate change as sea ice and forests, says University of Alberta scientist Sherilee Harper. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
In Edmonton, University of Alberta scientist Sherilee Harper emphasizes that climate change affects not only the environment but also human health. Harper, along with about 30 colleagues from diverse fields, has established Canada's first university hub to shift the focus of climate change from solely an environmental concern to a threat to human well-being.
Harper, a professor in the School of Public Health and a vice-chair on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, highlights the importance of viewing every decision related to climate change as a health decision. She underscores the significant health implications of climate change research projects.
An example provided by Harper is the construction of bike lanes, typically seen by city planners as a means to reduce car emissions. However, riding a bike also promotes physical health. She emphasizes the power of framing climate change as a health issue, as research indicates that it encourages more action compared to framing it solely as an environmental or economic problem.
Canada is experiencing a warming trend at twice the global average rate, and numerous studies have demonstrated the health risks associated with rising temperatures. A report from the Public Health Agency of Canada in 2022 identified climate change as the most significant health threat to humanity and the planet's livability.
The impact of climate change on health is evident in various aspects. For instance, last summer's wildfire smoke significantly affected Canada's air quality, particularly harmful to lung function, especially in children. Diseases like Lyme disease and West Nile virus are spreading as their carriers adapt to new habitats. Warmer waters are fostering the growth of bacteria, leading to an increase in diarrhea cases. Additionally, there are mental health repercussions, ranging from acute stress during evacuations to a sense of loss as familiar environments transform.
Harper shares her personal experience from last year's wildfires, where she and her young children were confined indoors throughout the summer, illustrating the challenges faced by many individuals and families.
Globally, the World Health Organization predicts that between 2030 and 2050, climate change will result in approximately 250,000 additional deaths annually from undernutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress.
The Climate Change and Health Hub, to be formally introduced on Tuesday, will bring together scientists, First Nations knowledge keepers, and students to facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing. Similar hubs already exist in the U.S., the U.K., and Australia.
Harper emphasizes that the hub will not only serve as a platform for scientific discourse but also engage in public outreach and advocacy. With misinformation prevalent, she believes that providing evidence-based advocacy is crucial for policymakers to make informed decisions.
She notes that while research on climate change is underway in Canada, there is a lack of coordination and collaboration among researchers, despite the inherently interdisciplinary nature of the topic. The hub aims to bridge this gap and promote evidence-based decision-making in addressing the health impacts of climate change.
