Perceptions of climate change and climate action among climate-engaged health professionals in Northern Ontario: A qualitative study

Abstract

Health professionals are being called upon to embrace a stronger role in addressing climate change, yet understanding how health professionals perceive climate change and climate action has garnered minimal attention in academic literature. Through semi-structured interviews with climate-engaged health professionals (n = 19), this exploratory paper describes trends and key issues with respect to health professionals’ perceptions of climate change and climate mitigation within the rural and remote context of Northern Ontario. Participating health professionals viewed climate change as a profound health problem in Northern Ontario, with impacts extending beyond physical health, impacting mental health and psychosocial wellbeing, in addition to driving further health inequities based on social determinants of health. Participants felt engagement with climate change within their role could be furthered to protect health. However, the current expectations of the health professionals’ role, the politicization of climate change as a topic, and the fear of damaging the trusted relationship between clients, community and the health professional were all identified as challenges. Participants voiced the need to better contextualize approaches to addressing climate change, calling for collaborative, localized action and enhanced education. This insight of health professionals’ perceptions offers a contextualized understanding for future climate action engagement.