Reflections on the indigenous health adaptation to climate change (IHACC) project

The Indigenous Health Adaptation to Climate Change (IHACC) project is a multi-year, trans-disciplinary, community-based initiative working with remote Indigenous populations in the Peruvian Amazon, Canadian Arctic and Uganda to examine vulnerabilities to the health effects of climate change, and to develop an evidentiary base for adaptation. The presentation provides an evaluation of aims and accomplishments to date in terms of: training; shaping policies and practice; advancing knowledge; challenges; and maintaining partnerships

Authorship in IPCC AR5 and its implications for content: climate change and Indigenous populations in WGII

This essay examines the extent to which we can expect Indigenous Knowledge, understanding, and voices on climate change (‘Indigenous content’) to be captured in WGII of the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5), based on an analysis of chapter authorship. Reviewing the publishing history of 309 chapter authors (CAs) to WGII, we document 9 (2.9%) to have published on climate change and Indigenous populations and involved as authors in 6/30 chapters. Drawing upon recent scholarship highlighting how authorship affect structure and content of assessment reports, we argue that, unaddressed, this will affect the extent to which Indigenous content is examined and assessed. While it is too late to alter the structure of AR5, there are opportunities to prioritize the recruitment of contributing authors and reviewers with expertise on Indigenous issues, raise awareness among CAs on the characteristics of impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability faced by Indigenous peoples, and highlight how Indigenous perspectives can help broaden our understanding of climate change and policy interventions. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10584-011-0350-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Systematic review approaches for climate change adaptation research

The article presents an analysis of approaches for systematic review and research synthesis and examines their applicability in the context of research about climate change adaptation. Customized review frameworks informed by systematic approaches to research synthesis provide a conceptually appropriate and practical opportunity for increasing methodological transparency. The article highlights innovative applications of systematic approaches, with a focus on the unique challenges of integrating multiple data sources and formats in reviewing climate change adaptation policy and practice

Vulnerability of indigenous health to climate change : a case study of Uganda's Batwa Pygmies

Link to published version provided.Findings stress the importance of human drivers of vulnerability and adaptive capacity and the need to address social determinants of health to reduce the potential disease burden of climate change. This study formed the basis of pilot research to inform development of a 5-year health research and intervention project. It provides summaries of climate-sensitive health outcomes identified as priority concerns, including malaria, malnutrition, respiratory disease, and stomach disorders, followed by characterization of the pathways of biophysical exposure to climate-sensitive health outcomes: water, food security, infectious disease vectors, and weather events

Status of climate change adaptation in Africa and Asia

This paper documents and analyzes the current status of adaptation initiatives in 47 vulnerable ‘hotspots’ in Asia and Africa, based on a review of grey literature, peer-reviewed articles and policy documents. Adaptations are primarily being reported from African and low-income countries, particularly those receiving adaptation funds, and primarily being driven by national governments, NGOs, and international institutions, with minimal involvement of lower levels of government or collaboration across nations. Gaps are particularly notable in North Africa and Central Asia, with limited evidence of initiatives being targeted at vulnerable populations. Agriculture is the dominant focus of reported adaptation initiatives

Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasitaemia among indigenous Batwa and non‑indigenous communities of Kanungu district, Uganda

The indigenous Batwa of southwestern Uganda are among the most highly impoverished populations in Uganda, yet there is negligible research on the prevalence of malaria in this population. Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasitaemia prevalence was estimated in an indigenous Batwa and a non-indigenous neighbouring population, and an exploration of modifiable risk factors was carried out to identify potential entry points for intervention. Additionally, evidence of zooprophylaxis was assessed, hypothesizing that livestock ownership may play a role in malaria risk

Public Health Adaptation to Climate Change in Canadian Jurisdictions

Climate change poses numerous risks to the health of Canadians. Extreme weather events, poor air quality, and food insecurity in northern regions are likely to increase along with the increasing incidence and range of infectious diseases. In this study we identify and characterize Canadian federal, provincial, territorial and municipal adaptation to these health risks based on publically available information. Federal health adaptation initiatives emphasize capacity building and gathering information to address general health, infectious disease and heat-related risks. Provincial and territorial adaptation is varied. Quebec is a leader in climate change adaptation, having a notably higher number of adaptation initiatives reported, addressing almost all risks posed by climate change in the province, and having implemented various adaptation types. Meanwhile, all other Canadian provinces and territories are in the early stages of health adaptation. Based on publically available information, reported adaptation also varies greatly by municipality. The six sampled Canadian regional health authorities (or equivalent) are not reporting any adaptation initiatives. We also find little relationship between the number of initiatives reported in the six sampled municipalities and their provinces, suggesting that municipalities are adapting (or not adapting) autonomously