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Building blocks of health disrupted by climate change

Infographic of how climate change will disrupt the building blocks of our health from the air we breath and water we drink through to disease risk and our social support networks.

Click on a section of the diagram below to learn more about that topic.

Climate change map Image of community hall and people talking. Image of a woman jogging and a woman crying on floor Image of person swimming in a body of water with a seperate body of water with no swimming sign. Two baskets of groceries, one with significantly less. Man walking outdoors, and a man using an inhaler. Worker collapsed with high temperature and worker working with normal temperature. Picture of house underwater, another house with people standing out the front. Person in bed unwell, and person on bike ride.
Image of community hall and people talking. Image of community hall and people talking.

Community

Strong social ties support our health but communities may be disrupted if neighbourhoods are abandoned or relocated.

Image of a woman jogging and a woman crying on floor. Image of a woman jogging and a woman crying on floor.

Well-being

Mental outlook is important for health but repeated stresses from extreme weather and other impacts of climate change may take a toll on our well-being.

Image of person swimming in a body of water with a seperate body of water with no swimming sign. Image of person swimming in a body of water with a seperate body of water with no swimming sign.

Water

Clean water is essential for our health but droughts, floods and increased temperatures may lead to water contamination and toxic algal blooms.

Two baskets of groceries, one with significantly less. Two baskets of groceries, one with significantly less.

Food

We need healthy food but droughts, floods and changes in weather patterns increase risk of crop disease, food spoilage, shortages and contamination.

Man walking outdoors, and a man using an inhaler. Man walking outdoors, and a man using an inhaler.

Air

Clean air is vital for our health but changes in temperature and rainfall can increase air pollution and pollen allergens, which will increase the prevalence of respiratory problems.

Worker collapsed with high temperature and worker working with normal temperature. Worker collapsed with high temperature and worker working with normal temperature.

Temperature

Moderate temperatures make life and work comfortable but more hot days will increase heat stroke, aggression and heart disease, especially for outdoor workers.

Picture of house underwater, another house with people standing out the front. Picture of house underwater, another house with people standing out the front.

Shelter

We need adequate shelter for our health but some homes may become uninhabitable due to floods, erosion or fire.

Person in bed unwell, and person on bike ride. Person in bed unwell, and person on bike ride.

Disease

Avoiding disease is vital for our health but rates of infection are likely to increase. Tropical diseases like malaria or West Nile virus may establish in New Zealand.

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