Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns and, since the 1800s, human activity has been the main driver through the burning of fossil fuels and destruction of nature. Modern civilisation has been enabled by a period of exceptional climate stability but is now threatened by rapidly rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
The climate, pollution and nature emergency is already impacting health in many ways including death and illness from increasingly frequent extreme weather events, such as heat waves, storms and floods, the disruption of food systems, increases in infectious diseases, and negative impacts upon mental health.
Climate change undermines many of the social determinants for good health, such as livelihoods, equality and access and social support. These impact upon the most vulnerable and disadvantaged including women, children, ethnic minorities, poor communities, migrants, older populations, and those with underlying health conditions.
Education is critical in addressing the climate and environmental emergency, can encourage people to change their attitudes and behaviour whilst ensuring healthcare professionals use their trusted voices to accelerate change in colleagues, patients, employers and supplier industries.
