GLASGOW is facing increased flooding and heat stress due to climate change, which will lead to detrimental impacts on health and equality, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned.
The organisation’s Health and Climate Change Urban Profile, published on Thursday, issued the stark caution as it presented a snapshot of key climate change hazards and health risks affecting the area.
The city of Glasgow is one of six around the world being profiled by WHO as part of its plans to mitigate and adapt to environmental changes, with profiles for Indianapolis, Indiana and Washington DC having been released previously.
WHO has worked alongside Glasgow City Council and the Glasgow Centre for Population Health to create the document, detailing immediate threats and risks arising for residents in the city.
It profiles the actions being taken by Glasgow to reduce the impact of climate change, such as the Low Emission Zone which came into force at the end of May in a bid to improve air quality and public health.
READ MORE: Countries urged to pay up like Scotland to tackle climate change losses
The city’s surface water and drainage projects, which aim to manage and minimise the risk of flooding, also feature, while tree planting projects undertaken in the area were hailed for their efforts to mitigate carbon emissions.
Dr Maria Neira, WHO’s director of environment, climate change and health, said: “City councils have the power to change our lives for the better. They can address inequality, improve people’s health, and tackle the climate crisis at the same time.
“The WHO Urban Profile illustrates how Glasgow is leading the way to a healthy, sustainable future.”
The publication comes ahead of a bid by Glasgow City Council’s Central Administration Committee to adopt the city’s Climate Adaptation Plan 2022-2030 next week.
The plan looks at possible solutions to problems being experienced currently, as well as those expected to occur in the future, such as overheating and further flooding.
Angus Millar, Glasgow’s city convener for climate, the Glasgow Green Deal, transport and city centre recovery, said: “This look at our city, by WHO, raises awareness about the immediate health threats from climate change that we, and many other cities like ours, face.
“Well over half the world’s population lives in cities, and many people rely on them for their health and well-being, so it is important that they are at the forefront of the action to mitigate and adapt to these climate change shocks and longer-term stresses.
“Glasgow is striving alongside other cities around the world in tackling the climate emergency, and this profile highlights the broad range of work the council and its partners are undertaking to improve the quality of life for our citizens through climate action.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here