Londoners were today urged to get on their bike and improve their mental wellbeing while tackling the capital's air pollution.
The call came from Professor Anthony Costello, co-chairman of the Lancet Commission on health and climate change, who warned of “potentially catastrophic effects” for human health and survival of global warming.
Prof Costello, director of University College London’s Institute for Global Health, said a 4C global temperature rise could undermine all the health improvements of the last half century.
But addressing global warming and air pollution, partly through use of greener technologies, to avoid this “medical emergency” also offered people opportunities.
“We’re getting fatter, we’re getting heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, respiratory ill-health, depression, anxiety,” he said.
“All of the things we want to do to protect ourselves against climate change will improve our health, whether it’s active transport, walking, cycling, eating healthier, sustainable, local diets or cutting air pollution.”
Pressed on BBC radio whether action to deal with climate change could really help with depression or anxiety, he added: “Cycling certainly would, regular exercise will.”
The experts who contributed to The Lancet Commission on Health and Climate Change said funding to keep global temperatures from rising by more than 2C, seen as a threshold above which the worst impacts are expected, was a good investment.
Cutting air pollution, for example by reducing transport emissions or coal-fired power stations, in the EU alone could save £27 billion a year by 2050 due to reduced deaths, the report said.
Politicians should also bring in carbon pricing to push up the price of high carbon goods, which could mean more expensive short-term flights, while cutting other taxes.
