Skip to content

Health

Turning cold houses into cozy homes save lives - and the planet

by Martin Leggett 12 May 2011
Turning cold houses into cozy homes save lives - and the planet

Some policy decisions are win-win all round, and a new report, authored by Sir Michael Marmot - a renowned Australian specialist in health inequalities - see just such a boon from something as simple and uncontroversial as heat-proofing the UK's old housing stock. The report 'The heath impacts of cold homes and fuel poverty', was commissioned by the Friends of the Earth, and looked at how the issues of health, energy use and negative environmental consequences are bound together - and how a solution to the UK's cold homes could resolve problems in all three areas.

The problem that the UK has, with keeping many of its older houses warm in the winter, is not an unusual one for countries in milder zones. Where winters are variable, and usually discomforting, rather than severe, there is a reduced incentive to properly 'weatherize' homes. That is more likely to happen in cold winter countries such as Sweden or Finland.

So poorly insulated and heat-leaking housing is still rife in the UK, and has led directly to an estimated excess of 5,500 deaths per year in the country. And whilst the up-front cost of improving the 'thermal efficiency' of this old housing stock is far from negligible, the multiplicity of benefits - in the form of reduced expense, more efficient energy use, lowered costs from improved health, not to mention reduced greenhouse gas emissions - add up to make it a zero-cost policy, in the long-term.

And the health issues from living in cold, drafty houses goes beyond the numbers of elderly home-dwellers at greater risk of pneumonia. The report finds that children are more prone to respiratory problems, there are more cases of rheumatism and arthritis - and teenagers seem five times more likely to suffer from mental health issues - in cold homes.

The Marmot report also highlights the social drag that poorly-heated homes place on their inhabitants; including a reduced educational attainment, and the increased poverty from higher heating bills. This all adds up to a large burden on the country's health and welfare system, a weight that could be relieved by funding a wholesale rejuvenation or replacement of older housing stock.

And as the report points out, if such a policy were undertaken, there would also be major knock-on benefits for attempts to slow down climate change. Well-insulated homes use less energy to keep warm, and produce fewer emissions - so they could be a major contributor for achieving the UK government's target for slashing CO2 output.

But action is long overdue. As the leader article in today's BMJ states, ''For many reasons-economic, ethical, environmental, and epidemiological-governments should heed the call in this timely report.''


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping