New evidence that climate change and nature loss are among the greatest threats to people’s health in the 21st century
Leading health and environmental experts are calling for urgent action to protect people’s health from climate change and nature loss, as a new guide for parliamentarians launches today in the House of Lords.
The Parliamentarians’ Guide to Health and Climate Change brings together leading experts and the latest evidence to explain why climate change and environmental decline are among the greatest threats to health in the 21st century – and what parliamentarians and policymakers can do to respond.
Following a summer of record-breaking heat, wildfires and drought putting health and essential services under growing pressure, the guide highlights the need to act now to address the climate impacts already occurring and prepare for the greater risks ahead.
It sets out ten priorities for action on climate and health in the UK, showing how policymakers can reduce health risks while delivering wider benefits for society and the economy. These include putting health at the heart of climate policy; preparing the NHS for climate impacts; creating healthier, climate-resilient places; tackling air pollution; protecting those most vulnerable to climate risks; and strengthening the resilience of the UK’s food system.
The guide also highlights the vital role of nature in protecting health – from expanding urban tree cover and access to green space to using nature-based solutions to reduce the risks of heat and flooding.
Developed by Peers for the Planet with the support of Wellcome, the guide aims to build cross-party understanding and drive action to protect public health, strengthen the economy and help communities become more resilient to the changes already under way.
Professor Baroness Kathy Willis CBE, FRS Chair of Peers for the Planet – the House of Lords climate and nature action group, said “The science is clear: climate change is no longer a distant or abstract threat. Its impacts are already affecting people’s health, livelihoods and daily lives. We must act urgently, putting proven solutions into practice to protect public health, build resilience and safeguard the natural environment on which we depend.”
Alan Dangour, Director of Climate and Health, Wellcome Trust, said “We now have abundant evidence showing how climate change and nature loss affect health, who is most at risk, and what actions can reduce harm and improve wellbeing. This guide brings that evidence together in a practical way, helping policymakers understand the health risks we face and the solutions that can address them.”
Baroness Rosie Boycott, Vice-Chair of Peers for the Planet, said “Climate change and nature loss affect our health in profound and interconnected ways, but their impacts are not felt equally. Many of the communities most vulnerable to climate risks face the greatest harms. Protecting and restoring nature can help address these challenges while creating healthier places and supporting our physical and mental wellbeing.”
Lord Nigel Crisp KCB, Crossbench Peer, said “We need to act on the evidence we already have. That means cutting greenhouse gas emissions to limit further climate change, adapting our infrastructure, public services and communities to the risks we face, and protecting and restoring nature. Acting now can reduce health risks, strengthen the economy and help build more resilient health services and communities.”
The Parliamentarians’ Guide to Health and Climate Change brings together leading experts and the latest evidence to explain why climate change and environmental decline are among the greatest threats to health in the 21st century - and what parliamentarians and policymakers can do to respond.
