Table 1 Public health adaptation knowledge gaps in Ontario as indicated by public health respondents
From: Adaptation to climate change in the Ontario public health sector
Field | Public Health Adaptation Knowledge Gaps |
|---|---|
Information, Science & Technology | Resolution of climate modelling to local scales |
Research on climate change science and health impacts locally | |
Surveillance of environmental exposure and health impacts | |
Guidance on mainstreaming climate change adaptation | |
Tools to build awareness, convey messages effectively and stress urgency to act | |
Cost-effective, win-win adaptation strategies that account for diversity and complexity | |
Public health adaptation best practices & lessons learned; identified and widely accessible | |
Research on relevant triggers to inform warning systems | |
Infrastructure | Assessments of resiliency of healthcare and emergency management infrastructure |
Assessments of adequacy of building code standards in light of climate change | |
Research on required land development policies in light of climate change | |
Studies on thresholds of water utilities infrastructure and transportation networks | |
Human Resources & Institutions | Cost-benefit analyses of adapting versus status quo |
Assessments of costs, direct & indirect, short & long-term health impacts | |
Policies to ensure sustained funding of climate change research, adaptation programs & plans | |
Tools to facilitate sustained community climate change knowledge sharing and planning | |
Assessments of local capacity to prepare for health related impacts of climate change | |
Mechanisms to evaluate effectiveness of programs in reducing health risks of climate change |