A Conceptual Framework for Planning Systemic Human Adaptation to Global Warming

Human activity is having multiple, inter-related effects on ecosystems. Greenhouse gas emissions persisting along current trajectories threaten to significantly alter human society. At 0.85 °C of anthropogenic warming, deleterious human impacts are acutely evident. Additional warming of 0.5 °C–1.0 °...

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Main Authors: Peter W. Tait, Elizabeth G. Hanna
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2015-08-01
Series:International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/12/9/10700
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spelling doaj-56d7d4021fd94ef3b35df4ba5c23fecc2020-11-25T00:03:34ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health1660-46012015-08-01129107001072210.3390/ijerph120910700ijerph120910700A Conceptual Framework for Planning Systemic Human Adaptation to Global WarmingPeter W. Tait0Elizabeth G. Hanna1National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health. Australian National University, Mills St. Acton, ACT 0200, AustraliaNational Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health. Australian National University, Mills St. Acton, ACT 0200, AustraliaHuman activity is having multiple, inter-related effects on ecosystems. Greenhouse gas emissions persisting along current trajectories threaten to significantly alter human society. At 0.85 °C of anthropogenic warming, deleterious human impacts are acutely evident. Additional warming of 0.5 °C–1.0 °C from already emitted CO2 will further intensify extreme heat and damaging storm events. Failing to sufficiently address this trend will have a heavy human toll directly and indirectly on health. Along with mitigation efforts, societal adaptation to a warmer world is imperative. Adaptation efforts need to be significantly upscaled to prepare society to lessen the public health effects of rising temperatures. Modifying societal behaviour is inherently complex and presents a major policy challenge. We propose a social systems framework for conceptualizing adaptation that maps out three domains within the adaptation policy landscape: acclimatisation, behavioural adaptation and technological adaptation, which operate at societal and personal levels. We propose that overlaying this framework on a systems approach to societal change planning methods will enhance governments’ capacity and efficacy in strategic planning for adaptation. This conceptual framework provides a policy oriented planning assessment tool that will help planners match interventions to the behaviours being targeted for change. We provide illustrative examples to demonstrate the framework’s application as a planning tool.http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/12/9/10700climate changeadaptationheat exposurehealthpolicybehaviour changeplanning
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Peter W. Tait
Elizabeth G. Hanna
spellingShingle Peter W. Tait
Elizabeth G. Hanna
A Conceptual Framework for Planning Systemic Human Adaptation to Global Warming
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
climate change
adaptation
heat exposure
health
policy
behaviour change
planning
author_facet Peter W. Tait
Elizabeth G. Hanna
author_sort Peter W. Tait
title A Conceptual Framework for Planning Systemic Human Adaptation to Global Warming
title_short A Conceptual Framework for Planning Systemic Human Adaptation to Global Warming
title_full A Conceptual Framework for Planning Systemic Human Adaptation to Global Warming
title_fullStr A Conceptual Framework for Planning Systemic Human Adaptation to Global Warming
title_full_unstemmed A Conceptual Framework for Planning Systemic Human Adaptation to Global Warming
title_sort conceptual framework for planning systemic human adaptation to global warming
publisher MDPI AG
series International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
issn 1660-4601
publishDate 2015-08-01
description Human activity is having multiple, inter-related effects on ecosystems. Greenhouse gas emissions persisting along current trajectories threaten to significantly alter human society. At 0.85 °C of anthropogenic warming, deleterious human impacts are acutely evident. Additional warming of 0.5 °C–1.0 °C from already emitted CO2 will further intensify extreme heat and damaging storm events. Failing to sufficiently address this trend will have a heavy human toll directly and indirectly on health. Along with mitigation efforts, societal adaptation to a warmer world is imperative. Adaptation efforts need to be significantly upscaled to prepare society to lessen the public health effects of rising temperatures. Modifying societal behaviour is inherently complex and presents a major policy challenge. We propose a social systems framework for conceptualizing adaptation that maps out three domains within the adaptation policy landscape: acclimatisation, behavioural adaptation and technological adaptation, which operate at societal and personal levels. We propose that overlaying this framework on a systems approach to societal change planning methods will enhance governments’ capacity and efficacy in strategic planning for adaptation. This conceptual framework provides a policy oriented planning assessment tool that will help planners match interventions to the behaviours being targeted for change. We provide illustrative examples to demonstrate the framework’s application as a planning tool.
topic climate change
adaptation
heat exposure
health
policy
behaviour change
planning
url http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/12/9/10700
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