Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Climate Change and Health

Course Description

The course is designed to provide background, knowledge and understanding of climate and climate change, including the anthropogenic processes that give rise to greenhouse gases. It will explore in depth both direct and indirect effects of climate on ecological systems and human health, differentiating and comparing impacts on various communities and populations. Students will be expected to understand and apply risk/vulnerability assessment protocols to evaluate climate change impacts on health of populations and communities. It will explore concepts related to health interventions and responses including mitigation and adaptation strategies at the international, national, provincial and local levels (municipal, community or private enterprise). 

Climate Change is the biggest challenge of our time and will need all hands-on deck. This course endeavours to provide emerging public health and environmental health practitioners with the necessary foundation to serve as change agents and work within interdisciplinary teams to mitigate, adapt and advance sustainable development in communities, within businesses and as policy at the local and global level.