ABSTRACT:
Climate change has and will continue to cause detrimental effects on the health of the population through impacts to water, food security, air, vectors and disease, among others. Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) are community health workers forming a bridge between local government and the public. Their unique position and vast scope of practice provides them with the opportunity to engage with a range of stakeholders including community members, industry, schools and healthcare facilities. This makes them ideal conduits to communicate climate change information for adaptation and mitigation however their role has not been explicitly included in current climate change planning by local government. This paper explores the perceptions of EHPs on their role in climate change given the impact on their scope of practice. A qualitative methodology was adopted to interview EHPs across eThekwini, Durban. Thematic analysis was performed on the data that was generated. The responses demonstrated that participants firmly believe that they play a role in climate change particularly in communication and adaptation efforts. Despite having basic knowledge of climate change, they lacked the confidence to engage on the technicalities of the subject. Participants explained that they have had no formal training on climate change however they have made personal efforts through professional development. The findings advocate for Environmental Health to play a more significant and explicit role in the fulfilment in local government strategies on climate change. EHPs are willing to embrace the role provided they are formally recognized and supported by local government. This provides local government with an established medium to action climate change adaptation plans. Incorporating EHPs leverages the existing relationship that exists with communities and as trusted sources of information.