“Climate change is the biggest global health threat of the 21st century, and tackling it could be our greatest health opportunity.” – The Lancet
Have you noticed heavier rainstorms, milder winters, or extreme heat days in the summer? How about more frequent basement floods and road washouts, or changes in traditional wild game or berries? These are all signs of climate change and the effects pose a present and growing threat to human health. On Earth Day, it is time to acknowledge that climate change is already being experienced in a variety of ways in northwestern Ontario, and learn how you can take action to protect yourself and the environment.
The updated Ontario Public Health Standards (2018) and Healthy Environments and Climate Change Guideline acknowledge the importance of addressing climate change and have mandated health units across Ontario to take appropriate, evidence-informed action to understand and minimize the health impacts of a changing climate.
In response, Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU), in partnership with the six other northern Ontario health units, formed a collaborative network to develop a deeper, context-specific understanding of how a changing climate will impact health in the area. With funding support from Health Canada’s HealthADAPT program, NWHU is completing a climate change and health vulnerability and adaptation assessment to identify and prioritize regional climate hazards, populations who will be most impacted, and actions to protect health. The overarching goal of the project is to build and sustain the capacity of NWHU to protect health by identifying and adapting to the risks posed by climate change.
NWHU encourages residents to celebrate Earth Day by getting outdoors and interacting with the environment – go for a walk or cycle, clean up your neighbourhood, or start a new gardening project to grow your own vegetables this summer! Just remember to follow all COVID-19 prevention measures while you do it.
Our environment and health are directly linked and we all have a role to play in protecting our future.
