While the multiple impacts of climate change on the environment are well-known, relatively few people have considered what this means for human health.
The Health in a Changing Climate forum, hosted at the Lighthouse Theatre on May 25, seeks to cast a critical lens over this emerging issue.
Warrnambool Mayor Cr Debbie Arnott encouraged anyone with an interest in health or the environment to attend.
“Some of Victoria’s best and brightest will be converging on Warrnambool to discuss this increasingly important issue,” she said.
“A warmer climate will lead to more extreme heat days, higher fire danger weather, changes in seasonal rainfall and rising sea levels – all of which have an impact on human health.
“In fact, the World Health Organisation has declared climate change the biggest threat to human health in the 21st century.
“The aim of the forum is to highlight the good work already being done in this space as well as to encourage connections and collaboration between peak bodies, organisations, schools, workplaces, and grassroots community groups.
“While the Warrnambool City Council has committed to becoming a carbon neutral organisation by 2026, we also aim to be a carbon neutral city by 2040. The only way we’ll get there is if we all work together, and forums like this are a terrific way to foster these important partnerships.
“If you’d like to better understand how a changing climate impacts human health, and work on ways to counteract this, we’d love to see you there.”
As well as the Warrnambool City Council, organisations such as the CSIRO, the Lowitja Institute, the Climate and Health Alliance, the Victorian Government’s Department of Health, the Victorian Council of Social Service and Cancer Council Victoria will either be speaking at the event or facilitating a workshop.
Warrnambool primary and secondary schools will also create displays for the event.
The Health in a Changing Climate Forum is a Warrnambool City Council initiative with funding from the Victorian Government’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and in collaboration with Wannon Water, Barwon South West Climate Alliance, South West Healthcare, Deakin University and Barwon Health.
It's free to attend, but please register at www.lighthousetheatre.com.au/health-changing-climate-forum