Building Climate Resilience: A Public Health Perspective

In this episode host Sanika Diwanji dives into the intersection of #climateresilience and #publichealth , joined by Abhiyant Tiwari, a leading expert in climate resilience and health at #nrdc India.
The episode highlights:

Key Themes:

• Climate Change and Public Health Interlinkages:



Abhiyant explains how climate change exacerbates health risks, from heat stress and vector-borne diseases to air pollution and its impact on vulnerable populations.

• Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan:



Abhiyant shares his experience in developing South Asia's first Heat Action Plan, which has become a global benchmark for tackling heat-related health challenges.

• Critical Insights:

• Rising Risks:

- 2023 marked alarming levels of heat stress, with each Indian experiencing 100 days of heat stress on average, according to the @Lancet.
- Increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events like heatwaves, floods, and landslides due to climate change.

• India’s Efforts:

- The National Program on Climate Change and Human Health aims to mitigate health impacts by building climate-resilient health facilities and enhancing early warning systems.
- Initiatives like Ayushman Bharat provide health insurance and revamp public health infrastructure, focusing on prevention and access.

• Challenges and Solutions:
  


• Challenges:
  - Addressing systemic gaps in preparedness and governance.
  - Sensitizing healthcare systems to climate-linked health conditions.
  - Managing the burden of high out-of-pocket health expenditures for vulnerable populations.

• Solutions:
  - Community-driven initiatives like cool roofing in Jodhpur and renewable energy solutions in rural areas.
  - Emphasis on **risk literacy** and localized resilience strategies.

• Key Takeaways for Listeners:
  - Small, impactful steps like understanding local risks, participating in community resilience programs, and embracing proactive measures can significantly mitigate climate risks.
  - Empowering communities and integrating bottom-up approaches are crucial for scalable and sustainable solutions.

Join this engaging discussion to explore how we can build a climate-resilient future while safeguarding public health. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more in-depth conversations!

#climateaction #publichealth #resilience #HeatActionPlan #sustainabledevelopment #india #Indiaclimatechange #podcast #climateeducation

Time Stamps
00:00 - Climate Resilience and Health Importance
05:37 - Abhiyant's Journey in Public Health
08:27 - Climate Change and Public Health in India
15:47 - Disaster Management in India's Climate Change
22:21 - Risk Literacy and Capacity Building
29:08 - Improving India's Healthcare System Challenges
33:16 - Addressing Vector-Borne Diseases in India
37:02 - Enabling State Disaster Policies
41:00 - Community-Led Solutions in Disaster Management
45:24 - Energy Access Solutions marginalised communities & future roadmap