Recently published by the Lancet, a new report has put climate change issues right at the heart of factors impacting on global health in the 21st century.

Senior doctors at the University College London consider that global temperatures will be catastropic and also highlighted issues with food and water shortages, and patterns of disease changing and travelling more rapidly.

Richard Horton - editor of the Lancet...

"We have not just underestimated but completely neglected and ignored this issue. This has not been an issue on the agenda of any professional body in health in the last 10 years in any significant way. This report is one of the stepping stones in changing that culture within the health sector. It is the biggest employer in Britain and it should be a leading voice in the debate"

Prof Anthony Costello, a paediatrician, leading author of the report... 

"I thought there were other priorities 18 months ago. Every year we delay, the costs go up. We are setting up a world for our children and grandchildren that may be extremely turbulent."

The poorest will be worst affected, Africa in particular was highlighted, but researchers warn that the impact of heatwaves, flooding and food shortages will be felt everywhere, including the UK

The postives to come out of the report - we can make changes now, and shifting to a more environmentally way of living will have huge repurcussions both the for the long and short term health benefits.