New report looks at impact of climate change on health

Derby City Council has published a new report, which places a strong focus on the growing impact of climate change on health.

Led by Dr Robyn Dewis, the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2024–25 calls for urgent, collective action to address health challenges caused by our warming climate, but also highlights how taking action to tackle climate change has the twin benefits of helping people’s wellbeing as well as the environment.

2024 was officially the hottest year on record globally. In Derby, rising temperatures, worsening air quality and flooding events are already affecting people’s physical and mental health, particularly for children, older people, and those in disadvantaged communities, which is leading to greater demand for health services.

The report outlines the direct and indirect health risks posed by climate change.

However, it also offers a hopeful message: many of the solutions to climate change will also lead to better health.

Dr Dewis said: “We’re seeing how the global increase in temperatures is affecting our climate in Derby.

“Our planet’s health is directly connected to our own, and on top of the health risks related to climate change, the wider impacts on the economy, energy and the availability of food and water all have a knock-on effect.

“It’s our young people, along with the most vulnerable in our society who will feel this the most.

“However, there are positive actions we can all take that look after our environment and improve our health and enhance our wellbeing.”

Key actions in the report include walking and cycling more, which helps us improve fitness, feel better and reduce air pollution.

Eating more fruits and vegetables and reducing food waste helps cut emissions and supports our health through a more nutritious diet.

Adding or increasing home insulation reduces fuel poverty and can prevent illnesses like asthma from developing or getting worse.

Improving access to parks and waterways improves our mental wellbeing and climate resilience.

The report gave a voice to Derby’s young people through focus groups and an art competition.

Their ideas and artwork are on display upstairs at Derby Market Hall throughout August, and show a vision of a greener, healthier future which was central to shaping the report.

Councillor Alison Martin, the city council’s cabinet member for health and adult care, said: “We are seeing more and more heatwaves – which can have consequences for the health of many vulnerable residents, notably young children and older people.

“We need to act now to help people in Derby deal with extreme heat, especially in areas with little greenery, and create a city that is habitable for future generations, as the children involved in the report say.”

Councillor Carmel Swan, the city council’s cabinet member for climate change, transport and sustainability, said: “There is widespread discussion about the impact of our changing climate on our environment, but perhaps not so much on the impact on our health.

“Climate change is the greatest threat to our health in our century.”