Climate and Environmental Literacy on CPDmatch
Why we need collaboration to improve climate and environmental literacy.

Despiteunderstanding the impacts of fossil fuel combustion and environmentaldegradation for decades, we have collectively failed to deliver adequate change.The implementation gap between Nationally Determined Contributions and the pathto ‘net zero’ is widening, atmospheric CO2 has recently exceeded 428ppm, global warming is accelerating and we’ve breached 6 of the 9 Stockholm ResilienceCentre’s planetary boundaries.
Weare witnessing unprecedented marine heatwaves and through absorbing CO2,the ocean is acidifying faster than the epoch preceding the End Permian Extinction event which saw the loss of over 90% of life on earth. António Guterres, secretary-generalof the United Nations puts it simply – “humanity has opened the gates to hell”.On our present trajectory, millions will face illness and death because ofextreme heat, adverse weather, infectious diseases, and starvation.
Thereis still hope but we must act now to avoid worsening impacts and points ofno return such as the loss of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. We must communicateclearly as we conserve only what we love; love only what we understand and understandonly what we are taught. During Covid-19, we saw health as a strong motivator for change and healthcare’s workforce is going to be an increasingly needed, trustedvoice. For these individuals to be confident to use their voices, they must beeducated and knowledgeable.
Mygoal is to improve climate and environmental literacy for millions of healthcareprofessionals, so they all understand the climate emergency is a healthemergency and how healthcare systems are vulnerable to additional stressorssuch as infectious diseases and climate change. CPDmatch was therefore developed to help globalhealthcare professionals find the education they need, a not-for-profit socialand environmental enterprise which aligns to the UN Sustainable Development (Global) Goals.
CPDmatchhas been visited by healthcare professionals from over 150 countries, improvingequality in access to education for all, independent of personal circumstanceand location of practice. We encourage site visitors to reduce their own environmentalimpact by helping them find local and virtual events and are the world’s firsthealthcare education platform to concurrently accommodate publications andarticles; a great source of easily accessible, sustainable and often free CPDwhich supports professional development and revalidation.
Butwe don’t stop there. We want to support all healthcare supplier organisations whohave ambition to address the climate and environmental emergency to advertise productsand services which are more sustainable in terms of decreased planetaryfootprint and impact (e.g., reduced plastic used). By specific invite, we offerthese forward-thinking companies ad tiles and sponsorship of bespoke landingpages (e.g., antimicrobialresistance) which are aligned to their clinical area.
AsCPDmatch is visited by healthcare professionals and employing organisations,adverts are seen both by potential users and those with the power to buy. Thewhole healthcare value chain must work to first, do no (or least) harm and we allhave a duty to seek out, audition and use more sustainable products wherepossible. I personally want to see companies who clearly have the ambition totackle the climate and environmental emergency the best chance to lead andthrive in a changing world.
We’vedesigned adverts to be visible but not to detract from the user experience. Theymix in with the education, never exceed 10% of the displayed tile numbers andwhere possible are consistent with the user’s subjects of interest. Manufacturersand distributors of healthcare equipment are encouraged to advertise educationwhich support product use or helps improve clinical care in the subject area.
Forany healthcare supplier, CPDmatch is a way of demonstrating support for GlobalGoals 4 (Quality Education), 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and 13 (Climate Action).Any education provider which actively supports equality in access to educationfor healthcare professionals in lower Human Development Index (HDI) countriescan be recognised by the Global Goal 4 icon on their CPDmatch tiles and their providerpage.
Therelationship between the planet and humanity is at a critical juncture and wemust all collaborate on a level never seen before to survive and thrive. AtCPDmatch, we want to hear from individuals and companies who feel the same sowe can support each other on our sustainability journeys and demonstrate oursocial and environmental leadership to inspire others.
Collaborationat every level is needed as for the climate and environmental emergency, we allcross the line together or none of us cross it at all. Find out more on the CPDmatch climate and sustainability landing page.
Richard Hixson 28-4-24.
Consultant in Critical Care and Physician Environmentalist.
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