The Darzi review highlighted the health imperative to act on climate change, and was unequivocal that ‘the NHS must stick to its net zero ambitions’. This review by a senior clinical leader furthermore set out that environmentally sustainable health care can help improve health and health care, stating: ‘There is no trade-off between climate responsibilities […]
Category: Greener Leader
Is addressing Planetary Health Primary Care’s route to the future? By Dr. Matthew Sawyer and Dr. Mike Tomson
The multiple challenges to primary care are well rehearsed; an excessive workload, a need to achieve health equity, achieving genuine patient centredness, providing better care and preventing more illnesses. Simple, right? But wait, there’s more. All of this needs to be done whilst addressing the financial costs, the environmental costs and the impacts on the […]
Plants First Healthcare; Normalising plant-based meals in healthcare. By Dr. Laura-Jane Smith and Dr. Shireen Kassam
Why are hospitals, places people rely on to restore their health, serving food that makes them sick? The NHS Constitution states that the NHS ‘is there to improve our health and wellbeing, supporting us to keep mentally and physically well, to get better when we are ill and, when we cannot fully recover, to stay […]
Choosing courage over comfort in the climate crisis: Are our health institutions prepared to do what it takes? By Rammina Yassaie
The climate crisis is the biggest health crisis we have ever faced, having been described as a “code red for humanity”. Given both the well-established health consequences of the climate emergency as well as the vulnerability of healthcare services to the threats of climate change itself, health institutions are well placed to advocate for change. […]
Greener Leader Blog Series: Being a greener leader in maternity care : making one small sustainable change is all it takes. By Angie Willis
Maternity care is the start of life encompassing public health for the mother/birthing person, their growing baby and their immediate support network too. The impacts of global warming, heatwaves, adverse weather events and air pollution all have impacts for fertility, pregnancy, fetal development and child health. Midwives and obstetricians can work in collaboration with women […]
Greener Leader Blog Series: Doctors as advocates for a health-based response to the climate crisis: reflections from Doctors for the Environment Australia. By Dr. Kate Wylie
Health is at the heart of the climate crisis. The health of individuals, of communities and nations, of our non-human kin and even our planet’s health, are all at the mercy of global heating and climate change. Health professionals have an opportunity to use our trusted voices to centre health in the debate. Our advocacy […]
Greener Leader Blog Series: Many small steps create big change. By Dr Frances Cundill
Ultimately, I want to leave the world in a better place for my children and future generations, and for them to live happy and healthy lives. Whilst the climate news stories can feel disheartening at times, I believe that a brighter future is still possible, and, if anything, it has made me more determined to […]
Greener Leader Blog Series: The ‘Net Zero Clinical Care’ conference: a step on the long road to a sustainable NHS. By Dr. Sara Lightowlers
The first BMJ Net Zero Clinical Care conference took place on 10th October 2023. After a year of escalating climate consequences, there has been a strong sense of urgency amongst healthcare professionals engaged in the climate movement, for something such as this. An event that enables us to come together and discuss what a Net […]
Greener Leader Blog Series: Plant-based Universities: a prescription for planetary health. By Alfie J Hall and Hollie Meyers
Young people, like us, are set to bear the brunt of the climate emergency, yet we often feel powerless in generating meaningful change amongst a cohort of leaders, largely dominated by older generations. Medical students, who have their time split between studying and clinical placements, have an almost impossible task in contributing to the wave […]
Greener Leader Blog Series : The Green Team. By Lorenz Kemper
While I have always strived to be mindful of our environment, it is in recent years that I have taken more active steps, even if it meant personal inconveniences and financial investments. The driving force for this was no single event, but the momentum of various campaigns such as Friday-for-Future school strikes and TV documentaries, […]