Research themes
Heat stress
Global warming exposes millions to heat levels that threaten health and productivity. Vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions, are at higher risk. We combine modelling of population health impacts of changing temperatures with physiological, perceptual and behaviour responses to heat stress, to define “how hot is too hot” for different people. We offer suggestions for potential trade-offs inherent in heat adaptations across sectors.
Food insecurity
Climate change affects agriculture by:
- altering rainfall patterns
- increasing the frequency of droughts and floods
- reducing crop yield
- threatening food security
This happens especially in regions which are already resource-poor and reliant on rain-fed agriculture. Malnutrition and hunger increase when food supplies are disrupted.
New and underutilised crops offer a solution to a changing climate and could buffer threats to food security. There are potential trade-offs that arise from growing these new crops and potential for health co-benefits.
Coastal communities
Coastal communities are facing unprecedented changes driven by the “blue acceleration” of:
- growth of human populations
- booming seafood sector and industrial fishing
- surging tourism and recreation
- offshore energy expansion
They also face fishery and ecosystem collapse, marine pollution, and an array of compounding, cascading and new risks driven by climate change. We work together across faculties and sectors to better understand how these communities adapt, and possible trade-offs between being resilient and being well.
Air quality
Temperature changes and air pollution can make respiratory conditions such as asthma and heart disease worse. We want to understand how air pollution from a diverse range of sources can affect lungs and other parts of the body, drive ill health, and how we can mitigate these effects, especially in those most vulnerable.