Minimising the impacts of climate change is a huge challenge, one that requires both individual actions and system changes. This can be explored through our circles of influence, our networks, and our roles as resource stewards, improvement agents, and advocates for health promotion. Circle of influence. The climate emergency is a concern to us all; […]
Category: Greener Leader
Greener Leader Blog Series: Going Greener in General Practice. By Vasumathy Sivarajasingam
Although GPs may well be aware that the climate emergency is also a health emergency, many may not make the connection with what they can do in clinical practice to reduce general practice’s carbon footprint. As GPs and primary care teams, we are on the frontline, and already encountering some of the resulting health impacts […]
Greener Leader Blog Series: Where Are All the Bees? By Matthew Lee
That familiar spring and summer buzz seems quieter this year. Even compared to last year, there seem to be fewer bees and other flying insects in my small town-garden and the birdsong feels more reserved. And where is all the rain? My lawn makes a dry crunch underfoot and has the brownish tinge you would […]
Greener Leader Blog Series: The Planetary Health Report Card – Student Leadership driving Educational Reform and inspiring a generation of Health Professional Climate Action Leaders. By Hannah Chase and Isabel Waters
Students often express scepticism towards their potential to create meaningful change, but the Planetary Health Report Card (PHRC) initiative is a fantastic example as to why this is simply not true. Not only has effective student leadership enabled the success of shifting medical education towards increasing inclusion of planetary health and sustainable healthcare, but it […]
Greener Leader Blog Series: Gaining support for climate policies through a health narrative: A way forward by Anandita Pattnaik
Although public concern about climate change has grown in recent years and is being shown to pose a serious threat to public health, many policy recommendations and calls from experts, including health professionals, appear to fail to receive the necessary political backing and support. Policies and possible solutions the public may be willing to consider […]
Greener Leader Blog Series: Leadership on the climate emergency must extend beyond NHS sustainability
Consciousness and concern about the climate emergency are growing across society – the evident impact on the health and wellbeing of global populations is acknowledged by healthcare institutions underscored by robust evidence. Articles about the response to the threats we face feature with increasing frequency across medical literature and this is to be welcomed. However, […]
Ensuring the oceans have a voice by Dr Richard Hixson and Dr Georgie Sowman
2020 was a year of virtual meetings. We travelled less, met more, said “you’re still on mute” frequently and learnt new terms like ‘Teams fatigue’. Covid-19 was here, humanity feared for its future and single use medical equipment was ordered, used/not used, and incinerated. There was genuine fear from patients and healthcare staff; deaths occurred […]
Introducing the “Greener Leader” Blog Series
The climate crisis is arguably the biggest leadership challenge that humanity has ever faced. It is a prime example of system complexity illustrated by our rich interconnectivity and our interdependence on the delicate ecosystem which sustains all of our lives. Healthy people cannot exist on a poorly planet; we are Earth and Earth is us. […]