The climate crisis and health - Evidence-based guidance on effective messaging

Aug 23, 2026

This document, titled "The Climate Crisis and Health: Evidence-Based Guidance on Effective Messaging," by Edward Maibach, MPH, PhD, presented at a Lunch & Learn on March 16, 2021, by the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University, focuses on the critical intersection of climate change and public health. It highlights that while most Americans acknowledge climate change is occurring, they perceive it as a distant threat across time, space, and species. Data from December 2020 reveals a diverse public opinion landscape, with segments ranging from 'Alarmed' (26%) to 'Dismissive' (8%), illustrating varying levels of belief and concern. The presentation emphasizes the fundamental truth about climate change: It's real, it's us, experts agree, it's serious, and there's hope. A core insight presented is that a stable climate is the most fundamental determinant of health. Drawing from behavioral economics, the document notes a common reluctance to incur present costs for future benefits, particularly among policymakers and CEOs. Consequently, it proposes that focusing on health may be the key to overcoming this behavioral economic dilemma and effectively driving solutions to climate change. The presentation draws data from Yale/George Mason University's Global Warming's Six Americas survey.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages27

Reading Time1 h 8 min

AccessFree to download

The Climate Crisis and Health

Evidence-Based Guidance on Effective Messaging

Global Warming’s Six Americas: December 2020

Key Messages

FAQs

What is the main finding regarding public perception of climate change?

Most Americans understand that climate change is happening, but they tend to perceive it as a distant threat in terms of time, space, and species affected.

What are the key tenets of the essential truth about climate change?

The essential truth about climate change is encapsulated in five points: It's real, it's us, experts agree, it's serious, and there's hope.

How does behavioral economics relate to climate change solutions?

Behavioral economics suggests people are reluctant to pay today for future benefits. The document proposes that focusing on health can help overcome this dilemma in addressing climate change.

Aug 23, 2026

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