NRS 428VN Topic 4 Benchmark - Policy Brief – Climate Change and Mental Health

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Benchmark - Policy Brief 1 Policy Brief on Climate Change and its Effects on Communities Princejeet K. Sandhu Grand Canyon University: NRS-428VN February 21st, 2020 Benchmark - Policy Brief... 2 Policy Brief on Climate Change and its Effects on Communities The science is settled anthropogenic climate change is real and is affecting humanity across the globe. There are many impacts on many issues throughout the entire spectrum whether it be economic, conflict based, health outcome based, among others. In order to be fully briefed on the impacts of this crucial issue we must first understand, the issue of climate change and its affects on settled communities in many areas, such as the population, what levels it must be addressed at, and an examination of the evidence on the issues supported by resources. A problem statement must be created, and suggestions for tackling health issues caused by environmental degradation, including the process and steps to address this. The impacts on the health care delivery system must also be fully understood. Climate Change as a Policy Health Issue Climate change is the average differences in temperature over time caused mostly by human activities, which have resulted in the greenhouse effect raising the Earth’s average surface temperature. (NASA, 2020) Climate change affects many people as it is a global phenomenon, however those susceptible to heat related illnesses, those at the coasts, those in poorer communities that have been redlined into floodplains, and those in regions of the country prone to extreme weather are hit the hardest. Those who work in certain occupations will also be more susceptible to the effects of climate change. (Fothergill & Peek, 2004) Climate change is a global issue that will affect all of us in some way or the other, all levels of government state local and federal must work together in order to solve this crisis. For example, in my state of Virginia we have passed new regulations to require utilities to obtain energy from renewable sources in order for us to have complete renewable energy generation by 2045. (Rankin and Suderman, 2020) Benchmark - Policy Brief 3 Problem Statement and Ideas for Addressing Health Issues Cause by Climate Change The problem of Climate Change and our awareness of it dates back decades. A problem statement of Climate Change and its affects on communities, starts with the who, what, where, why, and when of the problem. Who it affects is everyone, but especially those of lower socio economic status and those vulnerable to the effects of the weather, because of sensitivity or because of lack of protection, the what is the fact that climate change is anthropogenic and is a result of emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon and methane trapping heat in the atmosphere which causes global warming which results in climate change, where this will most take effect is in coastal communities and areas susceptible to extreme weather, why this is happening is because of emissions and lack of regulation on pollution, when this will happen is now it is already occurring as temperatures are rising and if we do nothing about it will worsen outcomes significantly. Health issues like heat stress from global warming will result in major issues, a peer reviewed study found that Heat stress at the workplace is an occupational health hazard that reduces labor productivity “Assessment of productivity loss resulting from climate change has so far been based on physiological models of heat exposure1. These models suggest productivity may decrease by 11–27% by 2080 in hot regions such as Asia and the Caribbean, and globally [Show More]

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