The Lancet, British Medical Journal and Finnish Medical Journal have come together to urge health professionals around the world to put health at the heart of climate change negotiations.
An editorial, published simultaneously in all three medical journals on 18 November 2010, warns that failure to agree on radical reductions in emissions spells a global health catastrophe. Written by Ian Roberts and Robin Stott on behalf of the Climate and Health Council, the editorial is a call to action for health professionals across the world to help tackle the health effects of climate change.
"Responding to climate change could be the most important challenge that health professionals face," the authors say. "We invite colleagues everywhere to join us in tackling this major public health scourge of the 21st century."
2010 United Nations Climate Change Conference
From 29 November to 10 December 2010, representatives from countries around the world will meet at the 2010 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancún, Mexico. Delegates will attempt to draft a treaty aimed at stabilizing atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations at a level that will prevent catastrophic climate change.
The conference host country is second only to the United States in the rate of obesity. One in four Mexicans is obese. Large increases in motor vehicle traffic in Mexican towns and cities have decimated levels of physical activity. Mexicans are experiencing reduced health and wellbeing, with increased rates of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Unchecked car use has also conspired with rapid population growth to make Mexico City one of the most polluted cities in the world.
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."
Moving to a Low Carbon Economy
Roberts and Stott argue that moving to a low carbon economy "could be the next great public health advance."
A low carbon economy will mean less pollution and a need for more physical activity. Meeting greenhouse gas emissions targets in the transport sector means substantial increases in walking and cycling, and reductions in car use. Increased physical activity will lead to dramatic reductions in chronic non-communicable diseases. A low carbon diet (especially eating less meat) will also mean fewer cases of cancer, obesity, diabetes, heart disease and even depression.
A reduction in car use and meat consumption will cut world food prices. Additionally, there are also mental health benefits of urban greening, reduced community severance, reduced fatness, and less noise, the authors add.
Climate and Health Council Pledge
Roberts and Stott are 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."
Reference:
- Roberts I, Stott R. Doctors and climate change. Lancet, published online 18 Nov 2010.
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Juan Ramos - Juan Ramos is a health communication specialist based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. He has worked in the non-profit sector for more than ...
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