The EXHAUSTION project's message to policy makers is clear: climate change is affecting various aspects of our lives, including the environment, human health, and the economy. As such, policy makers must prioritize measures that address these impacts and promote healthy well-being in terms of public health, while also taking into account the broader economic implications of climate change. By doing so, they can contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future for all.
Francesca de’Donato, emphasizes the impact of extreme heat on human health. While extreme heat is already a risk factor for human health today, the added increases in temperature expected due to climate change will only exacerbate this problem. As such, policies should address the health impacts of climate change both in terms of mitigation and adaptation. This includes measures that not only reduce emissions and exposure to heat but also promote healthy well-being in terms of public health.
Dr. Francesca de’Donato, Senior Researcher at Lazio Regional Health Service ASL Roma 1.
Ulas Im, highlights the urgent need for better tools, policies, and strategies to prevent and combat forest fires, given the increasing frequency and intensity of forest fires due to climate change. Forest fires not only destroy natural habitats but also put human lives at risk. It is therefore important for policy makers to prioritize forest fire prevention and firefighting efforts in their agendas.
Ulas Im, Senior Scientist, Aarhus University
Antonio Gasparrini, highlights the important role that cities play in our economy and society, but also notes that they are particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate change, such as extreme heat. However, there are specific policies that can be put in place to reduce these impacts and make cities more livable. By developing scientific evidence about the factors that can be modified to make cities less susceptible to the health impacts of climate change, the EXHAUSTION project is contributing to the development of such policies.
Antonio Gasparrini, Professor of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
Finally, Marc Suhrcke, reminds policy makers of the broader implications of climate change beyond the environment and human health. Climate change also affects the economy, including health care resources, labor market performance, labor productivity, and financial resources. As such, all policy makers should have an incentive to take action to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Marc Suhrcke, Professor, Luxembourg Institute for Socio-Economic Research (LISER)
Watch the messages from the researchers here:
