Global environmental change, in particular climate change, presents a serious threat to the stability of the ecosystems on which all human life depends. On the other hand, mitigating climate change through the decarbonisation of transport, and society more generally, presents unrivalled opportunities for improving public health. The policies that need to be implemented to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will also bring about substantial reductions in heart disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes, road deaths and injuries and air pollution. These health benefits arise because climate change policies necessarily impact on two of the most important determinants of health: human movement and human nutrition. Although the health co-benefits of climate change policies are increasingly recognised by health professionals, they are not widely appreciated by those responsible for environmental policy. Because the existence of important health co-benefits will dramatically reduce the cost to society of taking strong action to mitigate climate change, failure to appreciate their importance could have serious environmental consequences. In the transport sector, the creation of safe urban environments for mass active travel will require prioritisation of the needs of pedestrians and cyclists over those of motorists. Walking or cycling should become the most direct, convenient and pleasant option for most urban trips. We have an urgent responsibility to ensure that the health benefits of wider environmental policies are understood by both the public and by policy makers.


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    Title :

    The Energy Glut: Transport and the Politics of Fatness and Thinness


    Additional title:

    Springer Transactions in Civil and Environmental Engineering


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    2021-05-20


    Size :

    19 pages





    Type of media :

    Article/Chapter (Book)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English





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