Climate Attribution of Wildfire Smoke Impacts on Priority Population Health in Southeast Asia and Australia (CANBREATHE)

Project summary

Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme wildfires and smoke haze in Southeast Asia and Australia, causing severe health impacts, including respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. Notable events, such as the 2015 Sumatra wildfires and Australia’s 2019/20 Black Summer, resulted in thousands of premature deaths. However, current studies rarely attach these impacts to climate change or focus on vulnerable groups like Indigenous peoples, pregnant women, and children.

 

This project uses climate attribution modelling to assess climate change's role in extreme wildfires and their health impacts on sensitive populations in Southeast Asia and Australia. Through participatory co-design, it engages policymakers, Indigenous communities, citizen scientists, and artists to create innovative communication tools. These tools will combine scientific data with lived experiences to better inform adaptation strategies, focusing on regions heavily affected by recurrent wildfires like Thailand, Laos, Indonesia, and Australia.


Project Team
Prof
Sotiris Vardoulakis
University of Canberra
A/Prof
Veronica Matthews
University Centre for Rural Health, University of Sydney
Prof
Fay Johnston
Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania
A/Prof
Kraichat Tantrakarnapa
Prof
Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh
Dr
Tippawan Prapamontol
Prof
Budi Haryanto
Doctor
Keonakhone Khounvilay
Prof
Luis Salvador-Carulla
University of Canberra
Prof
Nasser Bagheri
University of Canberra
Prof
Rebekah Russell-Bennett
University of Canberra
Prof
Uwe Dulleck
University of Canberra
Dr
Nigel Goodman
University of Canberra
A/Prof
Aditya Vyas
University of Canberra
Doctor
Enembe Okokon
University of Canberra
A/Prof
Itismita Mohanty
University of Canberra
Dr
Elise Remling
University of Canberra
Prof
David Bowman
Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania
Dr
Nicolás Borchers Arriagada
Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania
Prof
Geoff Morgan
The University of Sydney
A/Prof
Luke Knibbs
The University of Sydney
Dr
Ivan Hanigan
Curtin University
Prof
Gavin Pereira
Curtin University
Prof
Richard Norman
Curtin University
Prof
Linda Payi Ford
Charles Darwin University

Francis Nona
Queensland University of Technology
Dr
Matthew Riley
Dr
Merched Azzi
Dr
Richard Broome

Oliver Costello
A/Prof
Ekbordin Winijkul
Prof
Khuanchai Supparatpinyo
Dr
Sawaeng Kawichai
Dr
Suparat Phuanukoonnon
Dr
Wissanupong Kliengchuay
Prof
Atsamon Limsakul
Dr
Pakorn Petchprayoon
Dr
Indang Trihandini
Dr
Al Asyary
Dr
Nurul Winarni

Meliani Kurniawati
A/Prof
Keophousone Phonhalath
Dr
Oulavanh Sinsamphanh
Dr
Vanphanom Sychareun
Dr
Viengnakhone Vongxay

Nilandone Senvanpan
Prof
Apostolos Voulgarakis
Partner organisations
Funder

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We acknowledge the HEAL (Healthy Environments And Lives) National Research Network, which receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council Special Initiative in Human Health and Environmental Change (Grant No. 2008937).
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