Climate Projections

Public Health’s Role in Climate Projection

Climate projections use models to help predict how climate may change in the future. Climate models use quantitative methods to simulate the interactions of the atmosphere, oceans, land surface, and ice. They can also simulate different climate scenarios and help us understand what processes may or may not shape future outcomes.

When it comes to climate projections, our role is to connect climate data with expected health outcomes. Climate projections are critical to evaluating the magnitude and probability of potential adverse health effects. This information is used to conduct health impact assessments and evaluate local and regional vulnerabilities. It is also our responsibility to identify and advance climate research that is relevant and useful to public health decision-makers.

Selected Resources for Climate Projection

In Oregon

• Oregon Climate Change Research Institute
• Oregon Explorer – Natural Resources Digital Library

Pacific Northwest Region

• Climate Impacts Research Consortium
• DOI Northwest Climate Science Center
• N.W. Temperature, Precipitation, & SWE Trend Analysis

National and International

• IPCC reports and data
• World Bank’s Climate Portal
• CDC’s Environmental Public Health Tracking Network
• Climate Hot Map developed by the Union of Concerned Scientists
• NRDC’s Climate Change Health Threats Initiative
• Template for Assessing Climate Change Impacts and Management Options
• United States Global Change Research Program (USGCRP)
• NOAA Climate Program Office

These links are provided for informational purposes. The inclusion of any website here does not constitute or imply its endorsement by the Oregon Health Authority. OHA does not guarantee the accuracy of the information contained on these linked websites, and the views expressed do not necessarily represent the official views of OHA.