{"id":1323,"date":"2024-12-12T12:37:28","date_gmt":"2024-12-12T12:37:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dauk.org\/blog-health-impact-of-climate-crisis\/"},"modified":"2024-12-12T12:37:28","modified_gmt":"2024-12-12T12:37:28","slug":"blog-health-impact-of-climate-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dauk.org\/blog-health-impact-of-climate-crisis\/","title":{"rendered":"Guest blog: The increasing health impact of the climate crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DAUK’s sustainability committee member Dr Marnie Sethi blogs about the health impact of the climate crisis and recent weather events on patients, and their impact on communities and the NHS.<\/strong>\r\n\r\nWinter is already putting unprecedented stress upon our NHS and upon local communities.\r\n\r\nWe have long known the most vulnerable people in society suffer more from health conditions in the winter months, and this leads to significant pressures on the health service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate change<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our climate plays a large part in this. Extreme weather events with significant impacts on our daily lives are becoming more frequent and more intense due to climate change.\r\n\r\nNovember’s floods devastated many families and businesses around the UK. Services have been disrupted, livestock drowned, and livelihoods destroyed, just before the run-up to Christmas.\r\n\r\nClimate change is causing a significant shift in our rainfall patterns and the frequency of storms. It’s leading to an increasing number of such occurrences across the UK, and indeed the world.\r\n\r\nSome our patients have lost their homes and become unwell as a result. Key health services in affected areas, such as GP practices, have had to shut down during an already busy time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Devastated community<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One such community which has been devastated is Pontypridd in Wales.\r\n\r\nAn invaluable asset to this community was a communal garden and education centre which helped young children and families who were struggling.\r\n\r\nIt was an excellent social prescribing tool which greatly benefited the people that lived there. It too has been destroyed.\r\n\r\nJust as attempts were being made to assess the damage to people\u2019s lives, Storm Darragh appeared to cause more devastation.\r\n\r\nA rare red warning was issued with danger to life being a key concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate crisis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This serves to highlight the increasing health impact of the climate crisis on our patients, and it’s impact on our everyday lives.\r\n\r\nMany are currently suffering without the basics of running water, electricity and even shelter.\r\n\r\nAt DAUK, our thoughts are with all those affected by the recent floods and Storm Darragh.\r\n\r\nBefore the next event, whether that\u2019s a heatwave, a flood, or even a pandemic, we need a national public information campaign on climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate and Nature Bill<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We need decisive leadership with new legislation such as the Climate and Nature Bill.\r\n\r\nThe Bill is the only proposed legislation going before Parliament that ensures a comprehensive and joined-up approach to the climate emergency.\r\n\r\nIf agreed, the Bill would lead to several climate and nature goals becoming law, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n