Mykolaiv residents experience health deterioration due to climate change

Mykolaiv residents are experiencing health problems due to climate change. Photo from the NikVesti archive

Mykolaiv residents believe that the climate in the city has changed significantly, with half of those surveyed noticing these changes only in the last 3–5 years. City residents have begun to experience more frequent health problems.

This is evidenced by data from a survey of city residents conducted as part of the preparation of the Climate Change Adaptation Plan.

The survey results, provided by the city council at the request of NikVesti, show that part of the preparation of the Climate Change Adaptation Plan was an online survey of 1,448 residents, which showed that climate change is already having a tangible impact on the health of city residents.

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Almost 60% of respondents reported headaches, weakness and insomnia during periods of heat and air pollution. Another 40% reported exacerbation of allergies, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

The results showed a high level of awareness of the problem among city residents: over 90% of those surveyed noted that the climate in the city is changing noticeably, and half of the respondents noticed these changes over the past 3–5 years.

Residents cited prolonged heat waves ( 82.9%), droughts (63.5%), storms, dust storms and deteriorating air quality (55.7%) as the most noticeable manifestations of climate change. Most participants assessed the impact of these phenomena as noticeable or significant.

Residents also drew attention to the state of the environment: two-thirds believe that the city lacks green spaces, and more than 70% have noticed a deterioration in the state of aquatic ecosystems.

«This creates a clear public demand for more green spaces, better maintenance, and effective water resource management,» the city council said.

At the same time, 78% of respondents said that they are already implementing or are ready to implement their own adaptation measures — in particular, saving resources, sorting waste and greening courtyards — and expect practical support for such initiatives from the city authorities.

It is noted that the results obtained are used as an analytical basis for clarifying priorities and forming measures in the future City Adaptation Plan.

Results of the survey of city residents. Screenshot of the response to the request NikVesti

It should be noted that in Mykolaiv, a working group was created to develop the first Climate Change Adaptation Plan, which included scientists, representatives of city authorities, businesses, public organisations, and environmental experts.

The project emphasises that climate change is no longer a distant prospect — it is happening here and now, and the consequences are being felt by all cities, especially those located near large bodies of water.

It should be noted that climate change and a critical decline in the water balance could render half of the country's agricultural land unsuitable for cultivation. By 2050, the drought zone will cover millions of hectares.