Assessing climate change and health provisions among staff in higher education institutions: A preliminary investigation

Finally, it is interesting to note that several participants expressed their interest in increas- ing their involvement in this area of research, and to contribute to the creation or reinforce- ment of regional or global networks focused on this topic [40, 48]. Table 2. Participants examples of specific policies on climate change impacts and health. Context Analysis Participant statement Most of the answers related to implementation issues. “The truth is that policies on climate change impacts and health documents exist. However, the level of implementation is alarmingly low, which puts the whole system in danger of failure, thus increasing the communities’ vulnerability and risk.” (Participant 1, Uganda) Several participants stressed the need for improvement in quality and quantity of information regarding climate change and health, and the potential challenges that it may entail. “Climate change impacts on health are commonplace, as they happen everywhere. However, the documentation of this phenomenon in developing countries is still scanty if it exists. For instance, it is difficult to establish whether a certain number of admissions to health facilities is due to climate-induced diseases. This is a serious gap that needs research to fill the knowledge gap.” (Participant 2, Uganda) Several respondents comment on the necessary improvements that are still required in higher education to enhance the role that universities and other institutions must play in becoming drivers for real change “An attention should be given for mainstreaming of

climate change impacts and health in our curriculums and research and community service activities. They put policies in place but never implement it. For example, 3rd year students don’t even know what blue carbon is because they do not have background knowledge of the subject.” (Participant 3, Ethiopia) Some respondents identified specific issues that make it difficult for the people to fully understand the effects of climate change on health, therefore highlighting the need for more research on the topic and better dissemination among different audiences. “Climate change and health is a multidimensional and systemic topic—very difficult to identify a single issue. At the same time, it is necessary to take into consideration vulnerable persons, women and the youth” (Participant 4, United Kingdom) https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0304019.t002 Table 3. Participants examples of specific challenges on climate change impacts and education. Implications Participant statement Regarding education, several participants expressed their concerns regarding the relatively low level that climate change and health issues have in some countries. “I think raising awareness has to start earlier, ideally at school, and not only on climate change as such (it is getting warmer), but also on the health aspects.” (Participant 5; Austria) Literacy is particularly relevant for developing countries, where these challenges may be causing larger effects, especially due to the lower resources that may be available for adaptation and resilience strategies

“At community level, in order to address the extensive damage that humans have created and acknowledge our health is intrinsically linked to the health of the planet, it is important to integrate such discussions with health literacy. This planetary health and health literacy integration has been championed by the West African Institute of Public Health and advocated to institutions that run public health programs in West Africa.” (Participant 6, Nigeria) In line with this need of enhanced education, several participants recognized that there is much room for improvement regarding public awareness and understanding. “It’s sometimes difficult to link some health issues to climate change impacts. Particularly among rural households who could not relate their experiences with the climatic variations affecting their health and agricultural productivity.” (Participant 7, Nigeria) Another issue addressed by several respondents refers to the role that regional and international networks play in fostering collaboration among different stakeholders, both from the public and private sectors, and between the global South and the North. “Is necessary to enhance the international network of climate change and health. In south hemisphere we saw first climate change and health impacts, considering the poverty and pre-existent vulnerabilities.” (Participant 8, Bolivia) https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0304019.t003 PLOS ONE Climate change and health in HEIs PLOS ONE | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0304019 May 21, 2024 13 / 21