June 7, 2021 (thebmjopinion), -The climate emergency is a health emergency. This fact is now indisputable and it is common knowledge that climate change and environmental degradation pose an unprecedented threat to human health. Increasing intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, rising global temperatures and sea levels, pollution, and biodiversity loss contribute to considerable morbidity and mortality. The burden of disease will fall hardest on the most vulnerable people and will widen already existing global health inequalities and gaps in healthcare provision.
The health sector has a considerable impact on the environment, contributing comparable greenhouse gas emissions to the airline or shipping industry and, consequently, exacting a paradoxical toll on global health. While last year marked the unveiling of the NHS’s Net Zero target, which is a great signpost of intent for a national health service, to create genuine change a major educational drive is required to alter behaviors and culture across healthcare.