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Conveying the Human Implications of Climate Change: A Climate Change Communication Primer for Public

Keywords / Description:

        
The George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communications conducted research on how to effectively communicate the public health implications of climate change to create a communication primer for public health professionals. In a survey conducted with local public health officials in 2008, over half of the nation's public health departments reported they were already experiencing health effects from climate change, yet fewer than 10% were taking steps to educate members of their community about the risks.

With the help of this new primer, public health professionals can better communicate with the public about the changing climate and the role it will play in the public’s health.

This primer was developed to help public health professionals communicate the health implications of climate change to the public, to policy makers, and to other professionals whose work is — or will be — affected by climate change. Specifically, this primer is organized into three sections so as to answer the following questions:

• WHY should public health professionals communicate about climate change?
• With WHOM should public health professionals communicate about climate change?
• HOW should public health professionals communicate so as to be most effective?

Toolkit:

Climate Change Toolkit

Keyword Area:

Climate, Environmental Health, Health Promotion and Health Education, Risk Communication

Jurisdiction:

Institutional Author:

George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication (CCCC)

Submitted:

04/25/2012

Modified:

04/30/2012

The NACCHO Toolbox is a repository of available resources to help local public health practitioners. Tools are produced by local, state, and federal agencies, as well as academic institutions and other stakeholders. The contents of this Toolbox are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official recommendations of NACCHO. NACCHO makes no express or implied warranty with respect to the contents and disclaims liability for any damages arising from or connected to the use of the material in this Toolbox.

Five most recent user comments

A "Must-Read"
By Anonymous
One of the best resources for communicating the health implications of climate change for the public health community.