Climate action for whānau

Around the world, climate change has already contributed to increased levels of ill health, particularly in connection with summer heatwaves.

In New Zealand, children, the elderly, people with disabilities and chronic disease, and low-income groups are particularly vulnerable to climate change-related health impacts.

Māori are also particularly at risk due to existing health inequalities and a greater likelihood of having low-income housing in areas at risk from flooding and sea-level rise.

While the atmosphere warms, the climate is changing, and this means a change in our weather. More frequent and more intense storms, flooding, droughts, heat waves, and even extreme snowfalls are all part of the changes.

Studies show that climate change will have significant impacts on agriculture. This is through decreasing low river flows, an increase in water demand, higher risk of wildfirs, more soil erosion from droughts and extreme rainfall events, and increased pest control problems. More frequent and intense droughts will have an effect on pasture growth, livestock health, and productivity.

Extreme heat may affect the quality of horticultural produce (fruit and veg), and may mean some crops won't be able to grow. Increasing temperatures may provide opportunities for new crop types to be grown in the area, but this may also cause problems for some of the crop types we already have, possibly introducing the spread of new pests. Droughts are likely to cause big issues for the horticultural industry in terms of water availability for water irrigation and the crops they can grown without water.

Changes in temperature, rainfall, and air can affect air pollution levels and human health. Chronic health conditions such as asthma and chronic lung diseases are particularly affected by outdoor air quality.

Like the rest of New Zealand, towns and cities in Hawke’s Bay are being affected by climate change from hazards, such as sea level rise, which can create social and economic issues.