New NTU research centre to zoom in on health risks of climate change in tropics

A new research centre that aims to tackle the health risks of climate change in the tropics was launched at Nanyang Technological University on April 15.

- Zachary Lim

Research efforts at the Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Health will focus on three pillars — air quality, extreme heat, and water supply and quality, said its director Steve Yim.

These are issues that are becoming increasingly urgent in South-east Asia due to rising global temperatures and environmental changes, he added.

Associate Professor Yim said there is a significant lack of research focusing on tropical regions like South-east Asia, which faces issues specific to the region. These include high humidity, monsoons and transboundary haze pollution, all of which have impacts on human health and well-being.

"South-east Asia is one of the regions most exposed to climate-related health risks, yet remains under-represented in global research," he said.

The centre was officially launched at the Experimental Medicine Building at NTU on April 15. Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Amy Khor was the guest of honour.