Climate change is creating a health emergency. In a survey of hospital doctors and nurses in France, Germany and the UK, many agreed they need to better prepare patients and adapt their healthcare systems to be more sustainable.
While the health care sector's primary mission is healing, it paradoxically contributes to the climate crisis as one of the main greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters.
Health professionals possess a diverse and expansive role, with the power to influence policy, challenge social norms, and drive transformative change. Drawing from a rich history of advocacy, they are uniquely positioned to address pressing issues through the lens of public health and disseminate critical information to the broader public.
In an opinion analysis published today at Think Global Health, a publication from the Council on Foreign Relations, Diana Picon Manyari, Health Care Without Harm’s International Climate Director, examines different actions taking place at a global level to contribute to the decarbonization of the health care sector.
Despite facing unprecedented global challenges, including record-high temperatures and widespread natural disasters, COP28 showcased significant progress in health-focused climate action. However, it's evident that the commitments and actions from COP28 fall short of adequately addressing the scale of the climate crisis.