Climate Change and Public Health

Abstract This second edition of Climate Change and Public Health provides a comprehensive review of the health consequences of climate change. It also covers what is being done and can be done to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, which cause climate change, and to adapt to the consequences of climate change. The first edition of this book, which was published in 2015, was selected as the Environmental Health Book of the Year. Most of the 55 contributors to this edition are leading scholars and practitioners who have been studying and addressing climate change and its health consequences. Of its 20 chapters, 15 are thorough updates of chapters in the first edition and five are new chapters. After introductory chapters on public health and climate science, this book focuses on heat-related disorders, respiratory disorders, vectorborne diseases, waterborne diseases, food insecurity and malnutrition, mental health impacts, and violence. It then describes the policymaking process and energy, transportation, and agriculture policies that aim to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and provide health co-benefits. It then covers adaptation measures for the consequences of climate change, including health adaptation, healthy and sustainable built environments, and nature-based solutions. Finally, it covers ways of strengthening the public and political will to address climate change, including measures to communicate the health relevance of climate change, build social movements to address climate change, and promote climate justice.