Environmental health professionals should play a central role in national and local climate adaptation plans, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has said.
The call comes as the organisation launched a new Climate Adaption Conference after World Environmental Health Day on 26th September.
CIEH says environmental health practitioners can help communities respond to rising temperatures, overheating homes, changing pest patterns, air quality concerns and more frequent extreme weather.
Joan Walley, Vice President of CIEH, said: “Whether that’s to assess and mitigate overheating risks in homes, schools and care settings, to ensure food safety across changing supply chains and during extreme temperatures, to protect water quality during periods of drought and flooding, to respond to emerging pest and vector threats, or to support communities affected by poor air quality and severe weather events.”
This summer’s prolonged periods of high temperatures highlighted the growing links between climate change and public health, with impacts reported across housing, food safety, water quality and supply, air quality and pest control.
The organisation says changing weather patterns are also increasing the risks of flooding and drought, while creating conditions for pests and disease vectors to spread into new areas.
Ms Walley added: “EHPs already play a vital role in working with local authorities, businesses and communities to develop practical adaptation measures that reduce risks before they become public health emergencies, and this must be harnessed as we look ahead to an uncertain future because of the impact of climate change.”
CIEH is calling for environmental health expertise to be incorporated into climate adaptation planning to help protect communities from these growing risks.
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