A Florida State University researcher has received a $1 million grant to help communities build resilience to health threats emerging as a result of climate change.
Associate Professor of Geography Chris Uejio will lead the two-year project, which will have three parts. Researchers will build an extensive climate impacts analysis and then also develop an aspirational climate and health adaptation plan. The third part will be determining how researchers can support municipalities, state health departments, and community groups that are becoming more interested in how climate and environment affect human health.
WHY IT MATTERS: Climate change is driving a myriad of issues that can have an adverse impact on human health, such as mosquito-borne illnesses. These include extreme heat waves, wildfires, and infectious diseases. Even the time it takes for cold-blooded mosquitos — which carry a variety of diseases — to reproduce is affected by temperature.
WHO’S INVOLVED: Uejio will lead the project and be joined by Associate Professor of Urban and Regional Planning Tisha Joseph Holmes, Ph.D., and Assistant State Climatologist Emily Powell.
WHERE’S THE MONEY COMING FROM: The Centers for Disease Control is funding this two-year project.