Brabanders are concerned about climate change.

Publication date: 08/29/2024 at 2:10 PM

Climate change panel study

The climate is changing. This also affects public health. At the end of July 2024, the GGD groups in Brabant asked their health committees (9,779 members in total) whether they were concerned about climate change. The committee members were also asked whether they were taking measures themselves: to reduce the impact on the environment and to better cope with climate change (climate adaptation). The research shows that there are indeed concerns among the Brabant population and that they are taking the necessary measures.

Eight out of ten Brabant residents are concerned about climate change.

Almost 80% of the panelists indicated that they are concerned about the consequences of climate change. The most worrying reason is that extreme weather is occurring more often. Almost all Brabander residents (97%) take measures to reduce their impact on the climate, such as separating waste or turning off lights in rooms where no one is present.

Climate adaptation required

Of the panelists, 80% are taking action to better deal with climate change (climate adaptation). The top 5 actions are: installing sunscreens, collecting rainwater in a rain barrel, measures to cool the house better, replacing tiles with more greenery and replacing fences with green borders.

Committee members find adequate cooling in their homes.

A third of the panelists occasionally experience health complaints such as fatigue, headaches, dizziness, fainting, or rapid heartbeat during prolonged heat. However, the vast majority of panelists can find cooling indoors or outdoors.
In hot weather, committee members make sure to drink enough, stay cool, stay out of the sun, and close windows during the day and open windows at night.

Third, do not put sunscreen.

Almost all panelists (99%) say they protect themselves from the sun. They do this primarily by seeking shade, applying sunscreen, wearing sunglasses, avoiding the sun between 12 and 3 p.m., or wearing a hat.
A third of the panelists don’t apply sunscreen. The main reasons they give are that they rarely get sun exposure, don’t burn easily, and often forget or find it inconvenient to apply sunscreen.

One in five suffers from complaints after swimming in natural waters.

Nearly a third of panelists reported that they sometimes swim in natural waters. Of these, a fifth had physical complaints after swimming in natural waters. Think rashes, earaches, or diarrhea. Just over 80% of panelists who swim in natural bathing waters take precautions. The most important ones are: taking hygiene measures after swimming (such as showering afterwards), checking the water for blue-green algae, and swimming only in monitored natural waters.

More information?

The results of the study are summarized in: This chart.
More information about, for example, health problems caused by heat, swimming water, blue-green algae, tips for keeping your home cool and advice on sun exposure can be found atggdleefOmgeving.nl.
Want more information about climate adaptation and what you can do yourself? Then take a look at Central location for the environment.