Publications
Paper on climate change and health
May 08 2009by Lina Nerlander (RC/RC Climate Centre)
Summary
The paper was written as a background document for 'The Commission on Climate Change and Development' (Sweden). The recommendations made in this paper can be summarised as follows: actions can be divided into those that mean doing more of the same: focussing on building resilience and strengthening public health systems at all levels while paying particular attention to the most vulnerable in society.
However, some things need to be done differently, such as developing more user-friendly early warning systems, using information at multiple timescales, strengthen the health sectors involvement in planning in other sectors and look for win-win solutions that benefit health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Overall, there needs to be a better focus on how to better deal with short term climate variability, as well as planning for how to ensure that systems remain resilient and adaptable to changing risks in the longer term. Read full paper 
(pdf, 652 kB).
Main topics:
- Disaster Management
- Health and Care
- Early warning early action
- Advocacy
- Communications
- Community risk reduction
- Youth
- Getting started
Disaster Management
Climate change can act as a catalyst for enhanced disaster management.
Health and Care
Many national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies will be touched by the health implications of climate change.
Early warning early action
Routinely taking humanitarian action before a disaster or health emergency happens, making full use of scientific information on all timescales.
Advocacy
The Red Cross and Red Crescent never works in isolation. Partnerships are more important than ever in the context of global warming.
Communications
The global climate is changing and the past no longer explains the present.
Community risk reduction
The Red Cross and Red Crescent has traditionally focused on response. But now other aspects, including risk reduction, are also given priority.
Youth
Red Cross Red Crescent youth take action to reduce the impacts of climate change.
Getting started
The Red Cross Red Crescent has a growing body of experience working on addressing climate change. Here’s how to use it to get started.
Take a look at Red Cross Red Crescent climate change activities on the worldmap
