Executive Summary

Over the past century, the impact of anthropogenic environmental change has destabilized the earth’s climate and ecosystems. Climate science research demonstrates strong evidence of global warming predicted to reach more than 1.5oC above pre-industrial levels by 2030 to 2052. The implications of global warming are rapid rates of sea level rise [1], melting glaciers [2], loss of species diversity[3], along with extreme and unusual weather events [4]. Climate-induced health effects include higher incidences of infectious and vector-borne diseases, increased food and water insecurity, increased heat- and cold-related morbidity and mortality, increased respiratory illnesses, and higher rates of climate-related psychological distress. Compounding these climate related effects are the emergence of new infections like COVID-19 attributable to human ecosystem disruption. A multitude of institutional, community, and individual-level strategies have been developed to try and prevent and mitigate these unintended effects. Ultimately, humankind will need to adapt to these new circumstances.

The purpose of this learning hub is to identify and address relevant gaps in the current literature around climate change mitigation and adaptation along with exploring innovative ways research can contribute to supporting adaptation strategies for rural health services and healthy rural communities. The proceeding ten chapters paint a picture of how our current systems could be adapted and transformed in order to more resiliently respond to climate change and ecosystem disruption. The initial chapters explore the ‘where are we now’, examining the impact of climate change on rural Canadian communities as well as mitigation and adaptation strategies on an international, national, and local scale. The later chapters outline ways in which a new system could be imagined, how rural health services could be improved in order to respond to ecosystem disruptions, and the values that must be prioritized as we transform into a new normal in the face of these challenges. The chapters are as follows:

  • Chapter 1: Assessing the Impact of Climate Change in Rural Canada
  • Chapter 2: Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies
  • Chapter 3: Healthy Rural Communities Responding to Climate Change and Ecosystem Disruption
  • Chapter 4: Data Transparency to Support Rural Community Sustainability
  • Chapter 5: Reconnecting with Nature
  • Chapter 6: Behavioural Determinants of Climate Action and Commitment to Collective Change
  • Chapter 7: Transformative Resilience
  • Chapter 8: Sustainability
  • Chapter 9: Youth Engagement in Climate Action
  • Chapter 10: The Pathway Forward

 

  1. Nerem RS, Beckley BD, Fasullo JT, Hamlington BD, Masters D, Mitchum GT. Climate-change–driven accelerated sea-level rise detected in the altimeter era. PNAS 2018;115:2022–5. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1717312115. ↵
  2. Roe GH, Baker MB, Herla F. Centennial glacier retreat as categorical evidence of regional climate change. Nature Geosci 2017;10:95–9. https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo2863. ↵
  3. Cardinale BJ, Duffy JE, Gonzalez A, Hooper DU, Perrings C, Venail P, et al. Biodiversity loss and its impact on humanity. Nature 2012;486:59–67. https://doi.org/10.1038/ nature11148. ↵
  4. Stott P. How climate change affects extreme weather events. Science 2016;352:1517– 8. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aaf7271. ↵

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To the extent possible under law, Centre for Rural Health Research and Rural Health Services Research Network of BC have waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to Executive Summary, except where otherwise noted.

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