Climate change and health

Overview

Climate change and health is the third and final instalment of the wider Global Health Challenges and Governance specialisation from Imperial College London's Global Master of Public Health (GMPH). The scope and content of this course has been developed from the ground up by a combined team of academics and practitioners in collaboration with experts from Imperial College’s Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment. Through short video lectures, readings and a wide range of interactive activities, learners will be immersed in the intersection of climate change and health. Designed for those new to the discipline, over four modules (intended for one week of learning each), learners will become familiar with the relationship between globalisation, environmental change and health. Learners will be introduced to climate change, its influence on individual and public health and implications for policy: whether new to the topic, or coming with a wealth of experience. By the end of this course, learners will be familiar with planetary health, global climate governance structures and climate policy instruments. Learners will also be able to analyse relevant policies, evaluate their adequacy for tackling global health challenges and recommend alternative approaches where appropriate.

Syllabus

Welcome to Climate Change and Health
Planetary Health

This module begins by exploring the relationship between globalisation, environmental change and health. It provides a critical introduction to the Anthropocene: a new geological Epoch/Event, where humans are viewed as the primary driving force of environmental change. We then examine the linkages between global environmental change and the Anthropocene, specifically in relation to attempts to understand the connections between environmental change and human health on different scales.

An Introduction to Climate Change

This module looks at the main factors influencing climate change and explains how human-produced greenhouse gases are causing the planet to warm with related impacts on regional weather extreme events and sea level. The learner is also introduced to global governance structures and key policy instruments addressing climate change, before exploring their adequacy in tackling the challenges of climate change.

The Health Impacts of Climate Change

This module examines the relationship between climate change, health and global health policy responses. The learner will explore the impacts of climate change on human health and how we can use climate change projections to understand the future risks to our health. We will also explore climate change mitigation and adaptation policies and the short and long-term potential benefits to health and the environment.

Global Health Policy Analysis

This module explores theoretical and conceptual tools used to systematically analyse health policies. The learner will critically analyse and discuss a climate change and health policy featured within a case study, using pertinent theoretical perspectives. We will also examine the links between climate change, migration and health.