September 2018. Human health is intimately connected to the environment. For example, green space has been studied to have beneficial effects on wellness, physical and mental health for residents of urban cities. Climate change threatens the very systems that support our health
and wellbeing. There are many actions that we can take to reduce the amount of carbon emitted into the atmosphere (mitigation actions), as well as actions that serve to help us adapt to the effects of climate change (adaptation actions), both important steps in preserving human health. Some climate actions also offer health co-benefits, meaning that while the action may be good for the environment, there are also health benefits that can be gained.
In 2017, TAF provided a grant to the Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA) to develop a communications strategy focused on the health benefits of strong climate action, with the goal of increasing public support for such action. This report provides an overview of their literature review, lessons learned about the collaborative process used to develop their strategy, and key messages developed.