Climate Program
The Built Environment Unit launched the Climate Program in 2019 after significant contributions from Harris County Public Health (HCPH) climate change working group and multiple research fellows. The Climate Program aims to protect the health of Harris County residents from the effects of climate change by applying the core functions of public health. This program will develop and support:
- Strategies intended to increase climate resilience
- Strategies that affect policy as well as individual behavior change
- Strategies that apply the principles of health equity
- Strategies that have health and climate co-benefits
- Actionable solutions for the Harris County community
The Climate Program will ensure a collaborative, cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary approach to addressing climate and health. Harris Cares 2020 outlines some of the climate challenges faced in Harris County and the importance of implementing solutions. Climate and health science is still emerging and evolving, however the time to prepare and reduce the impact on public health is now.