22/09/2026
🌿 Climate adaptation requires resilient food systems.
Climate change doesn't just affect our environment. It affects our food too.
Higher temperatures, extreme weather events and changing environmental conditions can increase food safety risks, disrupt food supply chains and impact food security.
Environmental health professionals play a vital role in protecting consumers, supporting food businesses and helping ensure safe, sustainable and resilient food systems. By applying scientific evidence in practice, they help communities understand, manage and adapt to emerging public health risks linked to climate change.
As we count down to World Environmental Health Day on 26 September, we're highlighting how environmental health professionals stand with science to protect communities, translating evidence into action that safeguards public health every day.
Sandra Moore, CIEH Food Advisory Panel member, said: "Climate change is no longer a future threat to food safety and security, it is a present-day reality. More frequent heatwaves, flooding and extreme weather events are affecting the resilience of food supply chains and creating conditions that can increase foodborne health risks.
"High temperatures can make it more difficult to keep food within safe temperature ranges during production, transportation and storage. At the same time, extreme weather can disrupt agricultural production, reduce food availability and increase costs for both businesses and consumers.
"Environmental health professionals are on the frontline of protecting public health from these risks. Through inspections, advice, monitoring and enforcement, they help ensure food businesses are adapting to changing environmental conditions while maintaining the highest standards of food safety.
"The conversation must also extend beyond food production volumes to the quality and sustainability of the food system itself. The depletion of nutrients in soil through intensive farming practices can undermine ecosystem health and affect the nutritional value of crops.
“Building climate-resilient food systems requires a greater focus on soil health, sustainability and environmental protection if we are to safeguard both food security and public health in the years ahead."
Join the discussion at the CIEH Climate Adaptation Conference, where experts and practitioners will explore evidence-based approaches to strengthening resilience across the food system.
Book your place at the special discounted rate until September 30 here: https://www.cieh.org/events/2026/december/cieh-climate-adaptation-conference/