Why is climate and environmental education so important?

“The rate of extinction is tens to hundreds of times higher than the average over the past 10 million years. It suggests that a sixth mass extinction may be underway.”

This is not a tabloid headline, but a statement from Global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security, published by the UK Government on 20 January 2026. In simple terms, biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse represent a direct and escalating threat to UK national security, economic stability, food systems and public health. The global consequences are interconnected and could outpace our ability to respond if not urgently addressed

Health is a fundamental human right, recognised in the Constitution of the World Health Organization (1948), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), and numerous international treaties. Healthcare therefore has a dual responsibility: to prevent and treat disease effectively, and to minimise its own environmental impact, including greenhouse gas emissions and physical and chemical waste. Good health is not only an outcome but a prerequisite—enabling societies to mitigate, adapt to, and respond to the climate and environmental emergency.

The COVID-19 pandemic, driven by a single pathogen, exposed the fragility of healthcare systems worldwide. Evidence from initiatives such as the Lancet Countdown suggests that the health impacts of climate change will be far greater in scale and complexity.

Despite decades of evidence on the harms of fossil fuel use and environmental degradation, progress has been insufficient. Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are now higher than at any point in the past three million years, global warming is accelerating, and seven of the nine planetary boundaries have been crossed. As United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has starkly warned, “humanity has opened the gates to hell”.

Human health is inextricably linked to the state of the natural world. On our current trajectory, millions face increased risks of illness and death from extreme heat, severe weather, infectious diseases, and food insecurity. Healthcare systems themselves will come under growing strain as demand rises. As seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, the trusted voice of healthcare professionals is critical in catalysing public understanding and global action.

There is therefore an urgent need for those working across the healthcare value chain to be climate and environmentally literate, and confident in communicating these issues. While many recognise this responsibility, lack of knowledge remains a significant barrier. CPDmatch seeks to address this gap, through curating relevant and accessible education for all who work in the global healthcare industry.