We have no right to steal from future generations. At the end of this month, the consultation will close on the proposed carbon reduction strategy for the NHS in England. This country is the first in the world to start legislating on climate change, the most serious and urgent health threat to current and future generations. Doctors, scientists, and other health professionals have a special responsibility to urge our colleagues, communities, policy makers, and politicians to take this threat seriously now by concerted action. You can show your support easily by encouraging the NHS to be a leading sustainable organisation by giving your feedback here. This is happening on our watch and will be our legacy.

18 September 2008
David Pencheon is a UK trained public health doctor and is currently director of the NHS Sustainable Development Unit (England).