Menu
18/11/2010
Health At The Heart Of Climate Change Agenda
Several leading medical journals have come together to urge health professionals everywhere to put health at the heart of climate change negotiations.
An editorial published simultaneously in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), the Lancet and the Finnish Medical Journal today, warns that the links between climate policy and health policy must not be overlooked. The editorial has also been made available for publication in all peer reviewed medical journals worldwide through the World Association of Medical Editors. Written by Robin Stott and Ian Roberts on behalf of the Climate and Health Council, it is a call to action for health professionals across the world to help tackle the health effects of climate change.
Failure to agree radical reductions in emissions spells a global health catastrophe, they said.
Later this month, representatives from countries around the world will meet at the 2010 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Mexico.
Stott and Roberts argue that “if the delegates at this conference think that obesity and climate change are unrelated, they would be wrong. The planet is getting hotter, its people are getting fatter, and the use of fossil fuel energy is the cause of both.”
They argue that moving to a low carbon economy “could be the next great public health advance.” For example, a low carbon economy will mean less pollution and a need for more physical activity. A low carbon diet (especially eating less meat) and taking more exercise will mean less cancer, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and even depression. A reduction in car use and meat consumption would also cut world food prices, they added.
They believe that health professionals everywhere have a responsibility to put health at the heart of climate change negotiations. “Responding to climate change could be the most important challenge that health professionals face,” they said. “We invite colleagues everywhere to join us in tackling this major public health scourge of the 21st century.”
They are also urging health professionals to commit to action by signing the Climate and Health Council pledge, and by contacting their health minister “to ensure that the links between climate policy and health policy are known and fully taken into account in all climate change negotiations.”
(BMcN/GK)
An editorial published simultaneously in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), the Lancet and the Finnish Medical Journal today, warns that the links between climate policy and health policy must not be overlooked. The editorial has also been made available for publication in all peer reviewed medical journals worldwide through the World Association of Medical Editors. Written by Robin Stott and Ian Roberts on behalf of the Climate and Health Council, it is a call to action for health professionals across the world to help tackle the health effects of climate change.
Failure to agree radical reductions in emissions spells a global health catastrophe, they said.
Later this month, representatives from countries around the world will meet at the 2010 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Mexico.
Stott and Roberts argue that “if the delegates at this conference think that obesity and climate change are unrelated, they would be wrong. The planet is getting hotter, its people are getting fatter, and the use of fossil fuel energy is the cause of both.”
They argue that moving to a low carbon economy “could be the next great public health advance.” For example, a low carbon economy will mean less pollution and a need for more physical activity. A low carbon diet (especially eating less meat) and taking more exercise will mean less cancer, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and even depression. A reduction in car use and meat consumption would also cut world food prices, they added.
They believe that health professionals everywhere have a responsibility to put health at the heart of climate change negotiations. “Responding to climate change could be the most important challenge that health professionals face,” they said. “We invite colleagues everywhere to join us in tackling this major public health scourge of the 21st century.”
They are also urging health professionals to commit to action by signing the Climate and Health Council pledge, and by contacting their health minister “to ensure that the links between climate policy and health policy are known and fully taken into account in all climate change negotiations.”
(BMcN/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 November 2009
Top Docs To Tackle Climate Change
Senior doctors from across the globe have come together to form the International Climate and Health Council. Aimed very much at changing the build and infrastructure environment, it is aimed at mobilising health professionals across the world to help tackle the health effects of climate change.
Top Docs To Tackle Climate Change
Senior doctors from across the globe have come together to form the International Climate and Health Council. Aimed very much at changing the build and infrastructure environment, it is aimed at mobilising health professionals across the world to help tackle the health effects of climate change.
02 April 2014
High Levels Of Air Pollution In England And Wales
Public Health England (PHE) scientists are issuing advice for parts of England and Wales. In the last few days, a combination of local emissions, light winds, pollution from the continent and dust blown over from the Sahara caused a spike in the UK Air Quality Index compiled by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
High Levels Of Air Pollution In England And Wales
Public Health England (PHE) scientists are issuing advice for parts of England and Wales. In the last few days, a combination of local emissions, light winds, pollution from the continent and dust blown over from the Sahara caused a spike in the UK Air Quality Index compiled by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
30 January 2006
Government report warns of 'dangerous' climate changes
A report launched today concludes that the effects of 'dangerous' levels of climate change are likely to occur over coming decades. It offers little hope that CO2 emissions can be kept in check, and that given rapid global warming, meltwater from the Greenland ice sheet will cause sea levels to rise by seven metres.
Government report warns of 'dangerous' climate changes
A report launched today concludes that the effects of 'dangerous' levels of climate change are likely to occur over coming decades. It offers little hope that CO2 emissions can be kept in check, and that given rapid global warming, meltwater from the Greenland ice sheet will cause sea levels to rise by seven metres.
12 December 2003
Climate change killed 150,000 in 2000: UN report
Climate change is taking a serious toll on health, with more than 150,000 directly related deaths worldwide in 2000, according to a United Nations report. The report, 'Climate Change and Human Health – Risks and Responses', stated that climate change was responsible for 150,000 deaths, 2.
Climate change killed 150,000 in 2000: UN report
Climate change is taking a serious toll on health, with more than 150,000 directly related deaths worldwide in 2000, according to a United Nations report. The report, 'Climate Change and Human Health – Risks and Responses', stated that climate change was responsible for 150,000 deaths, 2.
30 July 2004
Heatwave safety advice could save lives
The Chief Medical Officer has outlined measures to keep people safe in unusually hot weather this summer – and avoid the 2,000 'excess deaths' in England during last August's heatwave. The contingency plan follows widespread problems across Northwest Europe last summer and predicted climate change.
Heatwave safety advice could save lives
The Chief Medical Officer has outlined measures to keep people safe in unusually hot weather this summer – and avoid the 2,000 'excess deaths' in England during last August's heatwave. The contingency plan follows widespread problems across Northwest Europe last summer and predicted climate change.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
