Interactions between two existential threats: COVID-19 and climate change

Kristie L Ebi; Kathryn J Bowen; Julie Calkins; Minpeng Chen; Saleemul Huq; Johanna Nalau; Jean P Palutikof; Cynthia Rosenzweig

doi:10.1016/j.crm.2021.100363

Interactions between two existential threats: COVID-19 and climate change

Clim Risk Manag. 2021:34:100363. doi: 10.1016/j.crm.2021.100363. Epub 2021 Sep 6.

Authors

Kristie L Ebi¹, Kathryn J Bowen², Julie Calkins³, Minpeng Chen⁴, Saleemul Huq⁵, Johanna Nalau⁶, Jean P Palutikof⁷, Cynthia Rosenzweig⁸

Affiliations

¹ Center for Health and the Global Environment, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98105, USA.
² Melbourne Climate Futures, Melbourne Law School and Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
³ EIT Climate-KIC, London, United Kingdom.
⁴ School of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Renmin University of China, China.
⁵ International Centre for Climate Change and Development, Independent University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
⁶ Cities Research Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
⁷ National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility and Cities Research Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
⁸ NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, New York, NY, USA.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and climate change are complex existential threats, unpredictable in many ways and unprecedented in modern times. There are parallels between the scale and scope of their impacts and responses. Understanding shared drivers, coupled vulnerabilities, and criteria for effective responses will help societies worldwide prepare for the simultaneous threats of climate change and future pandemics. We summarize some shared characteristics of COVID-19 and climate change impacts and interventions and discuss key policy implications and recommendations.

Keywords: COVID-19; Climate change adaptation; Policy implications; Synergies; Trade-offs.

Publication types

Review

Grants and funding

WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom