London scoping - ukcip

Final Report
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8.5.5 Health and Climate Change in London
Further consideration and formulation of appropriate responses to:
• The potential contribution of climate change to increased incidences of poor air
quality and its impact on the health of susceptible people;
• Impact of increased temperatures on levels of heat stress;
• The potential of the move to a more outdoor lifestyle to improve people’s health;
• Ways of improving road safety in conditions of climate change for potential
increased numbers of pedestrians and cyclists;
• Health education initiatives to warn of the dangers of more exposure to sunlight
and appropriate preventative actions;
• Impact on vulnerable groups of climate change and their service needs; and
• Hotter weather can lead to an improvement in eating habits e.g. more preference
for salads, fruit and vegetables etc. However, not everyone has access to these
foods either because there aren’t the right kind of shops near to them or because
they can’t afford them. Increased demand for such foods under climate change
conditions should be one of the factors in examining ways of ensuring access to
fresh and healthy food across London.
8.5.6 Biodiversity and Climate Change in London
Further consideration of the potential impacts of climate change on habitats, species and green
and open spaces in London along with appropriate response strategies.
8.5.7 Emergency Planning
Development of systems and processes to respond to climate related emergencies e.g. flooding,
damage to buildings and the natural environment, heat stress and outbreaks of food poisoning.
Climate change impact may occur concurrently, such as exceptionally high tides in conjunction
with severe river flooding events, or may occur with other extreme socio-economic events such
as a stock market crash and a flu epidemic at the same time. Emergency Planning Authorities
need to consider the combined effect of such events.
8.5.8 Historic Environment
Further work should be carried out on the potential impacts of climate change on archaeology
and historic assets. As they are a key factor in attracting visitors and the quality of life in
London, efforts should be focussed on ensuring they are protected from any damage that may
result as a consequence of climate change
8.5.9 Strategic Processes
Apart from the present study, the policy processes set out in section 8.3 need to be informed by
the forthcoming study on climate change adaptation options and the other strategic processes
highlighted in this section.