Bath MP warns of the risk to child health as a consequence of the climate crisis

14 December 2023

On 12th December, Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath and spokesperson for Energy and Climate Change, hosted a roundtable with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) to discuss the effects of climate change on young people’s health.

The MP for Bath and spokesperson for Climate Change hosted a roundtable with the RCPCH, alongside a range of parliamentarians, Peers and paediatricians, to discuss the unequal effects of climate change on children’s health.

Having just returned from the COP28 Climate Summit as part of the official UK parliamentary delegation, Wera Hobhouse was eager to discuss the ways in which climate change is resulting in health inequalities in children and young people. The roundtable focused on sharing solutions to protect child health from the everyday effects of climate change. They discussed a range of risks to young people’s health from air pollution, to which children’s lungs are more vulnerable, to eco-distress, which negatively impacts children’s mental health.

Climate change poses a threat to the health and wellbeing of all children; however, research from the RCPCH shows that these health impacts are not experienced equally. The RCPCH recommends ways to tackle climate change that could result in improving child health equity. Mrs Hobhouse firmly supports the recommendation for the UK government to appoint a Cabinet Minister dedicated to supporting children’s health and wellbeing in policy decision making.

Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath and spokesperson for Energy and Climate Change, commented:

“We are all affected by climate change, yet some are more at risk than others. Children are acutely vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

“We have a responsibility to future generations to deliver clear, credible action. While children’s physical health is impacted by the climate crisis, we must not forget to care for their mental health too.

“Many children feel overwhelmed when they hear of the impending climate emergency and it is clear that we need greater ambition for mental health treatment in order to care for them. This is why I am so supportive of appointing a dedicated Cabinet Minister for children’s health and wellbeing.”

Speaking at the event, RCPCH President, Dr Camilla Kingdon, said:

“Climate change is no longer tomorrow’s problem, it’s todays. Healthcare professionals across the UK are already seeing its impact firsthand. Every child is at grave risk to the effects of our changing climate, but none more so than children in lower-income families. These children are facing an increased mortality risk from extreme weather events, exacerbated respiratory conditions from dirty air and even increased rates of cancer, diabetes and obesity. It is wholly unjust that these vulnerable children should bear the greatest burden in terms of climate change, especially in the context of a government that is rolling back on its net zero policies.

“It’s heartening to see MPs from across the country engage with us on this important issue.”