Climate change Is Coming Home: How Our Houses Are Impacting Our Health – and What We can Do About It
By Priyashah, World-Today-news.com – July 18, 2025
This year has delivered a stark warning: the climate crisis is no longer a distant threat, but a present-day reality impacting communities worldwide. From the devastating European heatwave that claimed roughly 2,300 lives, to the floods that displaced over 48,000 people in New South Wales, Australia, and the wildfires that destroyed at least 16,000 homes in Los Angeles, the scale of climate-related disasters is escalating. These events aren’t isolated incidents; they are a clear signal that climate extremes are becoming more frequent and intense, just as climate scientists have long predicted.
But the impact of climate change extends beyond dramatic headlines. Increasingly, it’s impacting something fundamental to our wellbeing: our homes. In a warming world,ensuring our housing - and the systems that support it – are climate resilient is no longer a matter of convenience,but of survival. This means protecting ourselves from heatwaves, floods, wildfires, and air pollution, while maintaining access to affordable and secure housing.
Australia’s recent National Climate Risk Assessment paints a concerning picture. Currently, 8.7% of residential buildings are in very high-risk areas. Without significant action, that number is projected to rise to 13.5% by 2090 under a high global warming scenario.
How Does Climate Change Affect Our Homes - and Our Health?
Our homes are traditionally seen as shelters from the elements. However, a new paper published in The Lancet Public health reveals a far more complex relationship. Climate change is actively deteriorating the conditions within our homes,with direct consequences for our health.
Extreme temperatures, for example, can compromise indoor air quality.Building materials degrade faster, releasing pollutants, and wildfire smoke easily infiltrates indoor spaces.This creates a toxic habitat, exacerbating respiratory problems and contributing to a range of health issues. Simply put, extreme heat outside frequently enough translates to unbearable – and unhealthy - temperatures inside.
Floods, storms, and cyclones cause structural damage and water contamination, exposing residents to toxins, allergens, and increasing the risk of infectious diseases
