Earth and Health: Learning Across the Boundaries of Global Governance

Abstract

Climate change presents the international community with a unique challenge that we argue is comparable in scope and breadth to challenges posed by global public health threats. In this discussion paper we examine the respective global roles of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Despite important differences between these two organizations and their mandates, tackling both climate change and public health challenges depend on progress in few areas of governance and communication. We outline five areas for co-learning between climate change and global public health management: timely information dissemination; transparent communication; policy coherence; multi-stakeholder contributions; and, emergency response.

Keywords: health, climate, WHO, IPCC, UNFCCC, organization