Discussion Guide for Adults
Health & Climate Discussion Guide for Adults
The purpose of this document is to serve as an aid to promote group discussion about climate change in
Minnesota and its environmental and human health effects.
Questions before viewing Health & Climate:
1. Do you think climate change is occurring? Do you think it is occurring in Minnesota? Why or why
not?
2. Climate change affects human health. What have you observed in your lifetime that might support or
refute this claim?
3. Has your health (or other aspect of your life) been affected by extreme weather conditions such as
severe thunderstorms, heavy air pollution, snowstorms, or extreme hot or cold temperatures?
Questions after viewing Health & Climate:
1. What is the difference between global warming and climate change? How are the two connected?
2. How is climate change in Minnesota different from climate change in Florida?
3. Did your opinion of whether climate change is occurring change after watching the film? Why or
why not?
4. Although there is an overwhelming amount of scientific evidence that supports climate change, there
are individuals who do not believe that climate change is occurring. How might you convince one
such individual that climate change is a real phenomenon? What strategies would you use?
5. How would you explain the concept of climate change to an individual with no scientific
background? What might you point to in everyday life to help explain climate change?
6. In regards to mitigation and adaptation to climate change, what are three actions (specific to your
own life) that you could change to make your life more “climate friendly”?
Note: Mitigation refers to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to slow, stabilize, or
reverse climate change. Adaptation refers to anticipating and preparing for the effects of climate
change in order to reduce the associated health burdens.
Minnesota Department of Health
Minnesota Climate & Health Program
PO Box 64975, St. Paul, MN 55164
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Discussion Guide for Adults
7. What are three actions that your community could take to be more climate friendly?
8. What do you think the greatest public health burden is or will be in Minnesota as a result of climate
change? Additionally, who in your community/life is the most vulnerable to these health burdens?
9. What are the health costs of climate change?
10. What should governments (both national and local) do to address climate change? What should the
private industry do to address climate change?
11. What do you think is the single most important strategy humans must employ to slow climate
change?
12. Do you think global climate change will cease to be a problem far into the future? Why or why not?
Minnesota Department of Health
Climate & Health Program
[email protected]
651-201-4899
August 2014
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