Environmental Justice: How Climate Change Impacts Our Health and Communities

In this episode of The SAGES Climate Science Podcast, we shift focus from the physical environment to how climate change and environmental issues affect human lives, particularly in Scotland. Our guests, Dr. Jennifer Rao-Williams, a Design Fellow at the University of Dundee, and Dr. Mary Abed Al Ahad, an Associate Lecturer at the University of St Andrews, help us explore the human side of environmental crises.

We begin by examining the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on people, from health to social inequality. Are there regions in Scotland where these environmental challenges are felt more acutely? And how do multiple environmental stressors, like air pollution and climate risks, overlap and exacerbate these impacts?

Dr. Rao-Williams offers insights into resilience in Scottish communities, particularly how they’re responding to environmental risks and what policies are in place to address these challenges. Dr. Abed Al Ahad delves into the health impacts, focusing on how air pollution and environmental degradation affect public health and well-being, especially in vulnerable populations. We also discuss whether environmental issues impact everyone equally or whether certain groups bear a heavier burden.

From local policy actions to global mitigation efforts, we explore how countries and communities are responding to these pressing issues. How resilient are we to future environmental hazards, and what steps can individuals take to protect themselves and reduce harm in their own communities?

Join us for a compelling conversation on environmental justice, health, and the path toward building more resilient and equitable communities in the face of climate change.