Climate change is increasingly affecting children and young people’s mental and physical health, from climate anxiety to air pollution. Alexandra, who’s involved in our NHS Youth Forum’s Young Researchers programme, explains her thoughts on the importance of young people’s voices in pushing forward climate action in healthcare.
“The choices made today will shape the world that young people grow up in”
“Youth voice is essential, especially when it comes to discussing climate change. The choices made today will shape the world that young people grow up in, so it’s only right that we’re part of the conversation.
“Many of us have grown up constantly hearing about the climate crisis, and we’re eager to be involved in finding solutions. Our generation wants to do things differently and make a lasting positive impact, but we need support from adults to ensure our ideas are heard in the right spaces. Being involved in this project gave us the chance to share creative, meaningful suggestions, and it’s encouraged me to stay active in pushing for change.”
Our generation wants to do things differently and make a lasting positive impact, but we need support from adults to ensure our ideas are heard in the right spaces.
Alexandra
NHS Young Researcher
Understanding the connection between climate change and healthcare
As a Young Researcher, Alexandra worked on a project aimed at making progress on the NHS’s Net Zero ambition which turned into the CARES Calendar . The CARES Calendar offers simple, practical actions that nurses, midwives, and healthcare teams can take to support planetary health. From reducing paper use to embracing greener clinical practices, each suggestion is a small step toward a healthier future for all, especially children and young people who are disproportionately affected by climate change.
“Being part of this project helped me understand just how closely healthcare and sustainability are connected. Healthcare services are already seeing the serious impact that climate change has on people’s health, from heatwaves to air pollution and new diseases.
“At the same time, the NHS is one of the UK’s biggest contributors to carbon emissions, which makes tackling sustainability in the sector even more urgent. It’s been encouraging to see that change is starting to happen, and that projects like this one are part of that movement.”
Hope for a more sustainable future for the NHS
“Being part of the NHS Youth Forum gave me, and many other young people, the chance to share ideas on how climate education can be more engaging and impactful. We really hope that the CARES Calendar will start some interesting discussions around sustainability and encourage people to incorporate more green habits into their lifestyle.
“It was brilliant to see that there are specialist teams within the NHS who are focused on improving sustainability. That gives me real hope for the future of a service that so many people rely on and care about.”
Children and young people are disproportionately affected by climate change—facing greater risks from environmental shocks and health issues. Their involvement in this work is not just valuable, it’s essential.
Lucie Planner
Children and Young People Lead Nurse, CYP Transformation Team, South East Region
The NHS Youth Forum
We know that there is no one better to ask about young people’s health services than young people themselves. You have the right to have a say on the decisions about the services you access.
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