Code red: Action from climate health
This edition of MTb can be seen as a follow-up to the edition Climate change and health that we published in 2019, an edition in which we, in parallel with the NVTG symposium, presented articles on the climate changes that we all are experiencing and their impact on human/planetary health. In the past months, many events took place that highlighted the devastating effects of climate change on the social and environmental determinants of health. But this time it’s more imperative than ever to join forces...
Code red: Action from climate health
This edition of MTb can be seen as a follow-up to the edition Climate change and health that we published in 2019, an edition in which we, in parallel with the NVTG symposium, presented articles on the climate changes that we all are experiencing and their impact on human/planetary health. In the past months, many events took place that highlighted the devastating effects of climate change on the social and environmental determinants of health. But this time it’s more imperative than ever to join forces to stop global temperature rise, or at least keep it at 1.5 degrees maximum, and to mobilise resources to deal with the direct effects of climate change, in particular in those countries that disproportionally are bearing the brunt. Humanity is facing its biggest health threat ever, and the World Health Organization and others are urging us to act, and act quickly. In the short to medium term, this implies actions to address the needs of the “vulnerable populations, people in low-income and disadvantaged countries and communities”.[1] In the longer term, the effects of our actions will depend on our ability to reduce emissions and to halt rising temperatures. The Lancet report (CODE RED) formulates our response to both crises (climate change and Covid-19) as “an unprecedented opportunity to ensure a healthy future for all”.[3] Two years down the line, we take note of ‘climate action’ in different forms and on different platforms. This MTb focuses less on clinical practice and is more of a compilation of opinions on how to frame the debate – including political standpoints – and of reflections on recent events that address the urgency. In addition, we present case studies and experiences with actions from within the health sector to reduce the carbon footprint. Also, we offer the floor to differing opinions on how to frame the crisis which, as you all know, is a hot topic of debate. Hope you enjoy the read and, last but not least, on behalf of the editorial board, we wish you all a prosperous, healthy and happy 2022!
Esther Jurgens
Olga Knaven