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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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 |
work_keys_str_mv |
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