Biodiversity, climate change and health

The climate and ecological crises are both driven by human activities. They each have catastrophic implications for human health and their strong interconnection creates a vicious circle where each is reinforced by the other. A stable natural environment is critical for limiting global warming and achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Conversely, the loss of biodiversity is a major threat to human, animal, and environmental health. In order to mitigate harm and maximise the co-benefits of action, it is important that policies tackle both climate change and biodiversity loss together. Our policy report, describes the impacts of biodiversity loss on land and oceans for human health and puts forward recommendations to reduce biodiversity loss, restore nature, and achieve climate goals for the benefit of health.

Recommendations

What are key health and environment professionals saying about the report?

Food system transformation is essential for restoring nature and preventing further climate breakdown. Shifting towards plant-based diets also provides co-benefits for improving human health, addressing antibiotic resistance, reducing pandemic risk and being kinder and more compassionate towards our fellow non-human animals. There are no downsides to adopting a plant-based diet and it’s a hugely impactful action many of us can undertake immediately.

Dr Shireen Kassam, Consultant Haematologist at King’s College Hospital, London and Founder of Plant Based Health Professionals UK

Our health depends on thriving nature and oceans. And yet the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. Acting on the climate, pollution, and nature emergencies together – by addressing our impacts and dependencies, prioritising nature and ocean recovery, and reducing the unequal access to the benefits of nature in our communities is key to our health and the health of future generations.

Dr Georgie Sowman, GP in Northeast England, Greener Practice, and Co-founder of Healthcare Ocean

As President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons I welcome this timely report. Veterinary professionals are used to thinking about One Health – the synergies between animal health and human health. Nowhere is this clearer than in the links between the climate crisis and the biodiversity crisis. Both pose existential risks to animal and human health and welfare, and a coordinated approach is essential to addressing them. Veterinary surgeons are uniquely placed to work with farmers on questions of sustainability, including the need for ‘less and better’ consumption of animal products, thereby benefiting biodiversity, animal welfare, and human health

Dr Sue Paterson, President of Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

By harming our natural ecosystem, we’re also harming our health. Those in power must recognise the reality of the warnings made in this report and take urgent and firm action to protect nature. Medicines are a crucial intervention in healthcare, we recognise the environmental impact of pharmaceutical products on the environment and our waters. We are committed to working with our colleagues for increased awareness and action in this area and all those highlighted to safeguard both human and ecological health. If action is not taken we are sure to be facing increases in non-communicable diseases, reduced capacity to develop new medicines and antimicrobial resistance. Together, with a united effort, we can contribute to the preservation of our natural world and the wellbeing of future generations.

Professor Claire Anderson, President of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society

We are facing two inextricably linked crises; the climate emergency and the ongoing loss of natural habitat and biodiversity. To compound matters, a lack of access to nature, dirty air, polluted water and the impact of a warming climate are widening health inequalities. Those who are in most need of the health and well-being benefits of nature are least likely to have access from their doorsteps. The most under-served areas of the country are nine times less likely to have safe and accessible green and blue places. This is an incredibly important report from the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change. The loss of wildlife and habitats leaves us ill-equipped to reduce our emissions and adapt to change. The Wildlife Trusts strongly support actions and policies to tackle the climate crisis and reverse nature’s decline.

Dom Higgins, Head of Health and Education at The Wildlife Trusts

The climate emergency and biodiversity crisis are two unparalleled challenges that are intricately linked and impact in multiple ways on human health whilst also increasing health inequalities. UKHACC’s report is welcome and timely and we call on governments to respond in the most proactive way possible by taking additional and decisive actions to preserve and enhance ecosystems.

Professor Andrew Elder, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

We welcome this report and its clear acknowledgement of the impact that the environment, including blue and green spaces, has on mental and physical health. The adoption of its recommendations is essential in creating sustainable mental health care that is nature-friendly, which will have a significant impact on people’s lives. Knowing the importance of nature for wellbeing, our members have been working tirelessly to sound the alarm and move towards a sustainable model of healthcare. The clear connection between climate change and ecological decline means that biodiversity loss and pollution disproportionately impact the health of vulnerable people. This is especially true for people with mental illness, exacerbating existing inequalities. Within this report, there is a critical message: to restore, protect, and ultimately celebrate the incredible ecosystems that humanity depends on. It is clear that climate change and the decline in nature pose a threat to the long-term health of the nation, and with focused, collective action over the next decade, we can protect the healthcare system.

Jacob Krzanowski, Sustainability Lead at the Royal College of Psychiatrists

This is such an important report from the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change.  The harm and potential loss of these vital ecosystems will have an impact on our population and our professions. The College of Paramedics has recognised the importance of nature as just one aspect of healing the paramedic profession by taking our members back to nature through schemes designed to support their mental health and wellbeing.  For our patients, they may face health inequalities that relate directly to their ability to access these precious resources from nature and to live a healthier life.  We stand firmly with the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change and urge positive action to make a difference for a healthier future.

Tracy Nicholls, Chief Executive of the College of Paramedics

This is an important and timely report that highlights the need to reaffirm and strengthen government commitments to protect our environment and encourage biodiversity. Our health and well-being are directly affected by the environment in which we live, with communities already facing disadvantages particularly vulnerable to the impacts of environmental degradation. Protecting the natural environment is key to improving health and we support the actions set out in this report.

Prof. Paul Johnstone, Chair of the Faculty of Public Health’s Climate and Health Committee

The RCN supports the development of this report because nursing staff recognise that the health of the planet is connected to everyone’s physical and mental health. Now is the time for healthcare professionals to work together to make sure we protect and invest in nature for the benefit of the nation’s health

Rose Gallagher, Nursing Sustainability Lead at the Royal College of Nursing