UN Climate Change Conference has everything to do with health
NHS England South’s Regional Lead for Sustainability and Health is currently attending the UN Convention on Climate Change in Paris in an official capacity. Here she explains why:
Many of my former patients and friends in the NHS are surprised and a little puzzled when I tell them I am representing NHS England at the Paris talks on addressing climate change.
“What’s that got to do with health?” is the common response.
It reminds me of the time when I first started training young doctors to become GPs – a most rewarding role. However, many of my colleagues felt that the half day a week spent on training was time taken away from direct patient care and, therefore, wasted. A respected Dean came to visit us new GP trainers and put our minds at rest on this score: “You are looking after tomorrow’s patients…” he said. “Just as important as ensuring good care for those who are ill today.”
When it comes to climate change and health, it is the same issue but on a much bigger scale. The risks of climate change present numerous challenges to the health system whether through direct effects such as air pollution, extreme weather events or through indirect impacts such as food scarcity, vector borne diseases, migration and economic risks.
These risks do not just impact on those in the developing world but affect every one of us now and will do more in the future.
However, as the Lancet commission reported this year, the opportunities for health improvement – if we energetically tackle climate change and related resource issues – are enormous. It is these so called health co-benefits which also inspire and motivate me to address this complex and challenging problem.
So, just imagine if we got it right in Paris – the world would be committed and united in tackling greenhouse gas emissions from whatever source.
This would result in well insulated homes for all with an end to fuel poverty. Air pollution would decrease with immediate benefits for a range of respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. Active travel would be a natural part of our lives resulting in much less inactivity and multiple health wins.
Sustainable agriculture on a planetary scale could yield great health benefits as well as improving animal welfare and protecting our wonderful biodiversity. Soil health would improve leading to greater long term food security and improve flood prevention and water cycle management. Energy generation would be much cleaner and cause less local pollution and health impacts for workers. It would also be cheaper in due course and more secure.
So, what’s not to like as they say – I will be pressing the case for urgent change and emphasising the many benefits to our health and wellbeing.
- You can find out more about the relationship between health and climate change at sduhealth.org.uk
- Follow updates on the Climate Change conference in Paris through Caroline’s Twitter account.