While it may feel that we are powerless against such a vast enormous problem, we in healthcare have a big role to play in the fight against climate change. In fact, we in healthcare have a responsibility and power to be the leaders in this fight for sustainability.
Why should medical professionals be leaders on the path to sustainability?
Some of us are already seeing patients suffering the effects of environmental destruction and climate change. We have cared for victims of wildfire and flooding, heat exhaustion, poisoned water intake. We regularly give lifesaving treatments to people struggling to breathe in polluted air. University of Wisconsin estimates that 50,000 Americans die per year because of particulate matter from burning of fossil fuels. WHO estimates that over 90% of the world’s children breathe toxic air daily. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Climate change is disproportionately felt “by the most vulnerable and disadvantaged, including women, children, ethnic minorities, poor communities, migrants or displaced persons, older populations, and those with underlying health conditions.”
These are our patients, and many of these patients depend on us to be their voice.
We’ve got Compassion
Earth is continually abused and disasters are happening at alarming rates. This will be or already is translating into increasing numbers of climate victims. Poor and vulnerable people are the most affected by climate change, as they tend to live in areas prone to disasters. As a professional group, we have compassion and have taken an oath to First, Do No Harm. Much of what we do in medicine can be done without so much harm to our planet and no compromise in patient care. If we can help in the fight for climate action, shouldn’t we?
We are the Original Influencers
We are among the most respected and trusted professionals. Think of the reaction you get when you tell someone at a party that you’re a doctor or a nurse. People come to us for advice, and seek out our opinions on all sorts of matters. Check out this survey that shows that doctors, nurses and pharmacists are the most trusted professionals.
People watch how we behave, how we get to work, what we eat, what we wear, or when we do something out of the norm. People notice when we set good examples. This is especially true when we not only model good habits but also talk why we are doing them. A discussion with patients about why you’re prescribing a dry powder inhaler instead of a CFC-propelled one has ripple effects. So does a discussion with your colleagues about your metal lunchbox, reusable water bottle, or how you now bike to work.
We could have a major, positive impact on the longevity of humans on this planet and it’s hard to imagine the fight against climate change and human demise succeeding without us in it.
We’ve got Clout
The healthcare sector has immense purchasing power – allocating over 10% of the gross world product. That’s a huge amount of potential clout if we can harness our collective influence to push for better environmental practices.
Healthcare professionals should be leaders in the fight against climate change. We have personally cared for victims of climate change and can share compelling stories. We are respected and influential and have power that we’ve barely harnessed. Let’s be leaders in this fight now instead of reacting to the inevitable worsening outcomes which will fall even harder on future generations. Now is the time and we are the people to do it.
Where to start?
When I began my deep dive into sustainability in healthcare, I struggled with the question of where to begin. And what can I, and individual emergency doctor, even do during my regular working day. My purpose with this blog is to help educate about sustainable options, and give practical tips on what we can do in our practices to become sustainable. Check out posts on such tips for the home here and for the workplace here. And see below – these are some of the organizations I’ve come across that are supporting the healthcare sector to become sustainable. (I’m sure there are more. If you know of others, please add them in the comments.) I hope to expand on this section in further detail as time allows.
- Global Green and Healthy Hospitals
- Practice Greenhealth
- Health Care Without Harm
- Geneva Sustainability Centre
- Climate and Health Alliance
I can also recommend the CleanMed Conferences – there is a yearly one in the US and one in Europe (which I attended remotely). The next CleanMed Conferences are in Salt Lake City, UT in May 2024– and in Europe in June 2024.
Finally, check out the following website with information about virtual conferences for healthcare professionals around the world: CPDmatch
