Research emphasises how taking steps to mitigate the warming planet also has a signifiant positive impact on our state of mind.
Led by Dr Robyn Dewis, the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2024–25 calls for urgent, collective action int he face of mounting environmental pressures and associated health challenges.
Published following confirmation that 2024 was the hottest year on record globally, policymakers in Derby are also facing significant localised challenges.
In addition to rising temperatures, with 2025 on course to be one of the UK’s driest in living memory, air quality, water pollution and biodiversity loss are also major threats to the population.
According to the study, many of the solutions we have at our disposal to deal with these issues can also directly contribute to better mental health. A significant benefit considering Britain’s frontline health services.
Recommendations include:
- Walking and cycling more helps us improve fitness, feel better and reduce air pollution so we all breathe fresher air.
- 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.
‘We’re seeing how the global increase in temperatures is affecting our climate in Derby,’ Dr Robyn Dewis, Director of Public Health. 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,’ he continued.
Image: Max / Unsplash
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