Climate change poses a growing threat to human health, from heatstroke and air pollution’s link to coronary heart disease, to the increased likelihood of pandemics. Finding climate solutions that address these challenges is crucial, particularly ensuring that new strategies don’t worsen existing inequalities in communities most vulnerable to climate change.
The Centre for Net Positive Health and Climate Solutions, based in Cornwall with staff across the UK, aims to drive scientific progress, provide policy guidance, and foster innovation to minimise climate change’s health impacts while maximising the benefits of cutting-edge research.
Leading the Charge Against Climate-Related Health Risks
Professor Tim Taylor, from the University of Exeter and leader of the Centre, highlights the urgent need for action. “Climate change is already impacting health directly through heat-related illnesses and infectious diseases, and indirectly through food systems,” he says. “Ecosystems play a crucial role in mitigating these effects. By reimagining urban design, enhancing green and blue spaces, and transforming food systems, we can reduce emissions and better respond to emerging health threats.”
The Centre will gather evidence on new risks and opportunities, work alongside communities to develop tailored solutions, and inform policies to enhance health and wellbeing in the UK and beyond.
A Collaborative, Interdisciplinary Approach
Professor Lisa Roberts, Vice Chancellor of the University of Exeter, emphasises the importance of collaboration: “We are thrilled that UKRI has chosen Exeter to lead this vital initiative. It showcases the globally recognised expertise of our teams. The Centre will bring together researchers from our European Centre for Environment and Human Health and other fields like humanities, computer science, and epidemiology.
“Building on partnerships with organisations such as UKHSA, Forest Research, the National Trust, and the Met Office, we will ensure that our research delivers real-world solutions to improve people’s lives.”
From studies on how thunderstorms trigger asthma to exploring the mental health impacts of climate change, the Centre’s wide-ranging work will engage both policymakers and the public, underscoring that climate change is fundamentally a public health issue.
The Stakes Are High – And the Time to Act is Now
Professor Isabel Oliver, Chief Scientific Advisor at UKHSA, stresses the urgency:
“As our Health Effects of Climate Change report shows, climate change is already impacting health globally and here in the UK. These risks will only accelerate in the coming years.
“Research from this Centre is critical. The UKHSA Centre for Climate and Health Security works closely with the University of Exeter and other partners to safeguard health in a changing climate. The choices we make today will shape the severity of climate impacts for future generations, and those choices must be guided by robust evidence.”
Evidence-Led Climate Solutions for Communities and Nature
Professor Rosie Hails, Director of Science and Nature at the National Trust, highlights the visible impacts of climate change on landscapes: “Frequent flooding, storms, drought, and heatwaves are disrupting wildlife and reshaping our environment.
“At the Trust, we’re working at scale in both urban and rural areas to mitigate these impacts. By collaborating in this programme, we can apply evidence-based strategies and, in turn, contribute to the evidence base. For example, our urban projects will explore ways to enhance green and blue infrastructure to benefit people and reduce inequalities.”
Liz O’Brien, Principal Social Scientist at Forest Research, adds: “This interdisciplinary project is an exciting opportunity to explore how treescapes can improve health and tackle climate challenges. Working through the Natural Environment Social Research Network, we’ll contribute valuable insights to inform policies that benefit both people and nature.”
The Climate Solutions Centre’s work represents a critical step forward in addressing the dual challenges of climate change and public health, ensuring a healthier, more resilient future for all.
Photography by George Hiles, Cornish Coast
