Active travel and health

We need to make changes to how we live our lives to reduce our carbon footprint and help prevent climate change threatening our future health, wealth and wellbeing.

Changing the way we travel around day-to-day will have a big impact because travel and transport is one of the main sources of greenhouse gases, which is driving climate change.

A Wakefield Council report, produced in partnership with low carbon energy experts, shows that if we are to meet our target of being a carbon net zero district by 2038 we need to:

• Reduce car use by 30%
• Increase walking by 80%
• Take 20 times more journeys by bike

Doing something as simple as walking, cycling or scooting to school, work or the shops – instead of talking the car – will make a difference.

For longer journeys, try travelling by bus or train, then walking or cycling that last mile.

Changing to more active forms of travel will help reduce air pollution and improve physical and mental health too.

Climate change is affecting our health, with increases in respiratory illnesses caused by poor air quality, physical and mental health issues caused by sudden changes to weather, the discovery of new viruses and malnutrition due to crop shortages.

The World Health Organisation states that “climate change is the single biggest health threat facing society with health professionals worldwide already responding to health issues presented by this unfolding crisis.”

We all need to act now to lower our carbon emissions and reduce health inequalities.