Kingston’s approach to preparing for the impacts of climate change
Health impacts and food security
Climate change is already impacting health worldwide through more frequent extreme weather events including heatwaves, droughts, storms, and floods as well as the spread of diseases, and mental health issues.
It also undermines key social determinants of health, including livelihoods, clean air, safe water, sufficient food, equality, and access to healthcare. While not all these effects are currently being felt in Kingston, they are likely to intensify. Food security in Kingston is also increasingly at risk as rising temperatures, extreme weather, and biodiversity loss strain food production, disrupt supply chains, and threaten access to affordable food.
What will Kingston do to prepare for the impacts of climate change?
Please review Target 3 and the suggested measures. Once you’ve reviewed these, please share your thoughts by answering the questions below.
Target 3: mitigate the health impacts of climate change and take measures to increase food security locally
- Support and promote food growing initiatives and projects improving food security in the borough, working closely with the VCSE sector
- Develop a programme of activity to tackle mental health impacts of climate change with a special focus on young people
- Work collaboratively with Public Health and NHS to enhance health surveillance and research into health impacts of climate change. Collaboratively prepare for and respond to these impacts
- Promote measures that improve health, reduce carbon and help the borough to adapt with a special focus on active travel, green spaces, food and energy efficiency
- Embed health into all retrofitting initiatives focusing on reduced overheating risk, appropriate ventilation, air quality and damp and mould prevention