Students are mostly uninformed about the impacts of climate change on health and urban heat islands as a whole despite this being an issue in close geographic proximity to the UConn campus
The interviews suggested that students wanted to learn more, but the education system did not cover climate change in detail, and its potential impacts on human health
The interviewees noted how climate change is often discussed in abstract terms rather than direct impacts, which can make the problem seem distant and solutions nonexistent
Experts
We need to include health in climate change conversations in order to raise awareness on the connections between the two issues
It is not necessarily anyone’s fault for their lack of awareness; society and educational programs need to be better about prioritizing these issues
Keep pointing out what’s happening
Students
Students were clearly aware that climate change existed and that it would have an impact on the world, but could not easily articulate how climate change and heat can impact human health
After learning more about the direct health impacts students felt a sense of shock and dissappointment, especially when viewing the maps comparing income vs surface temperature
They were also more quick to point out environmental crises popularly reported on in the media (Wildfires, droughts, etc.) and speculated that their lack of awareness is at least partially a result of urban heat islands and their health impacts not being talked about in the media
Experts
You can deny climate science (if you so choose to), but you cannot deny that sea levels and temperatures are rising in many places throughout the world, including within the United States
By bringing attention to what is actually happening in our physical environment, we can help more people to understand the disastrous effects of climate change, especially the effects on their health
Collaboration across generations
Students
Students clearly were upset by climate change
However, they felt a lack of ability to change the trajectory of society
Experts
Current millenial/gen z generation should not have to bear the majority of the pressure and responsibility to solve climate change issues
There needs to be conversations between the older generations, who hold positions of power, and the younger generations who will hold those positions in the future; these conversations need to spark action