ICS Estudos e Relatórios Nº1 / 2019

ICS E S T U D O S e R E L A T Ó R I O S 2019 Climate change is a complex problem, but it has been possible to do some critical work in order to mobilize populations and municipal officials, especially at the local level. As an example, the ClimAdaPT.Local project, which took place in 26 Portuguese municipalities, is an experiment and an excellent example to replicate. Revisiting the results obtained in this project on the issue of public health, it was possible to 1) identify the main problems according to the municipalities; 2) recognize the most exposed and vulnerable social groups; 3) evaluate the alert systems and preventive policies; 4) install an integrated and participatory governance model, articulating entities and stakeholders, in order to minimize problems and prepare populations. From the communicational point of view, some fundamental points were highlighted: facilitating access to information and disseminating it; identifying key actors in the field who can act as knowledge brokers; adapting communication to each social group considering its characteristics. To communicate knowledge in the field of Public Health, it is necessary to avoid alarmism, which means increased liability and responsibility. It requires to inform people without alarmism; to warn and raise awareness, without causing despond; it implies keeping a delicate balance that requires techniques and 'technicians' to be well communicated. When we address the impacts of Climate Change on Public Health, the decisive matter lies on the "Public" and, therefore, it is essential to communicate awareness and a culture of prevention and self-protection; to implement new practices and better habits; to increase responsibility, but without generating paralyzing fears or scepticism. That means finding the right record for communicating about CC. Communication in 'subtherapeutic doses' may be counterproductive, or even create resistant strains, triggering public rejection. While communication in 'over-therapeutic doses' can kill the virus of curiosity and create rejection again (the issue is so dangerous and severe that people might prefer not to think about it…). People need to have the idea that they can (and should) participate in the process of thinking about solutions and be a part of it. On the one hand, participate in a shared way right from the start (to share uncertainties and motivations – think together) in order to co-create knowledge. On the other hand, addressing the complexity as something that belongs to the nature of facts, and not as a stratospheric subject that only experts or a magic step will solve.