Climate Change and Health
The Urgency of Action
Climate change is here now, and its effects are already unravelling the very fabric of our planet. The global rise in surface temperatures, which had been stable for thousands of years, has increased by 1.2°C in just the last 50 years. This unprecedented acceleration has placed us on what Sir David Attenborough describes as a “highway to climate hell,” with catastrophic tipping points looming ever closer. The 2023 State of the Climate Report confirms that we are entering uncharted territory and the 2024 record heat, with July 21st marked as the hottest day, serves as a stark reminder that we are rapidly running out of time.
As we move forward, it is imperative that we keep the global temperature rise below 2°C or we risk irreversible consequences. Already, small islands may disappear, 90% of coral reefs will be lost and we are on the verge of heat-related morbidity and mortality outbreaks. From flooding and droughts to wildfires and extreme weather, the environmental upheaval is increasingly taking a toll on human health. Schools in South Sudan have closed due to extreme heat, while parts of Asia are battling unbearable temperatures of 56.7°C in Saudi Arabia, rendering outdoor activities dangerous and disrupting water supplies.
“Environmental upheaval is increasingly taking a toll on human health”
Climate Change & Healthcare: A Double-Edged Sword
The healthcare sector is caught in a double-edged sword: while we will inevitably see more patients due to climate change-related diseases, our very systems also contribute to the crisis. The healthcare industry accounts for 5-7% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with every procedure, supply chain action, and hospital service adding to the burden. A single ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy for example, generates significant emissions and hospital wastewater production can amount to the equivalent of three Olympic pools per day.
As healthcare leaders, we have a responsibility to reduce emissions and create sustainable health systems. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), climate change is one of the major threats to global public health, leading to increased rates of cardiovascular disease, neonatal deaths, cancers, antimicrobial resistance and even alterations in the gut biome. If we fail to act, the cascading impact will not only overwhelm our health systems but will also drastically reduce the quality of care we can offer.
Unprecedented Global Impact
The world is undergoing changes at a speed never seen in human history. As scientists and healthcare professionals, we must confront this reality and demand immediate action. 15,000 scientists from 163 countries have already raised the alarm, warning that the extreme weather patterns of 2023 are just the beginning.
In places like Barcelona, droughts have dried up major reservoirs, while Canada has experienced devastating wildfires and floods. In the face of this reality, prevention is no longer an option; even mitigation efforts fall short. We must now focus on adaptation.
What Can Healthcare Leaders Do?
Healthcare leaders must take bold steps to embed sustainability into every aspect of our systems. This begins with recognizing that there is no public health without planetary health. By incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies into healthcare delivery, we can begin to reverse the harm and build more resilient institutions.
1. Change Procurement Contracts: Shift to green procurement practices that prioritize local, sustainable suppliers. This includes sourcing local, fresh, and seasonal foods and ensuring medical devices are as low-emission as possible.
2. Invest in Renewable Energy: The surface area required to power the entire world with solar energy could be met by the top of Africa alone. It’s time for healthcare institutions to invest in clean energy, ensuring our systems are powered by renewables.
3. Promote Sustainable Health Prescriptions: Healthcare providers should look for prescriptions that not only improve patient health but also contribute to planetary health. For example, switching from metered-dose inhalers to powder formats can reduce emissions while delivering effective care. 3
4. Employee Engagement: Offer green care incentives for staff, including sustainable transportation options, and integrate planetary health advocacy into employee programs. Each healthcare institution should also focus on building diverse leadership teams that can approach sustainability from different angles.
5. Waste and Water Management: Healthcare systems must focus on reducing their environmental impact by investing in wastewater management systems and reducing medical waste. Hospitals should also explore carbon-neutral building designs and energy-efficient infrastructure.
6. Engage Communities: Healthcare institutions should serve as anchors of social and environmental good in their communities. This means partnering with municipalities, businesses, and universities to drive broader sustainability initiatives.
7. Develop a Planetary Health Strategy: We must integrate planetary health into our strategic frameworks, ensuring that sustainability is an item on every agenda and embedded into key performance indicators for managers across healthcare systems.
The Path Forward: A Global Health Strategy
The challenges are immense, but we have a narrow window of opportunity to make a difference. The future of our healthcare systems and the health of billions of people depend on the actions we take over the next five years. By committing to sustainability now, we can save our planet and safeguard human health for generations to come.
It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the climate crisis, but it is our duty as healthcare leaders to persist in the face of inaction. We must hold political leaders and major powers accountable, ensuring that science is at the forefront of decision-making. A green deal for healthcare, signed by all institutions, can pave the way for reducing emissions and creating climate-resilient systems.
In a world where 6 billion people may find their homes uninhabitable, it is our responsibility to ensure healthcare can still be delivered equitably and sustainably. The time to act is now—because in the race against climate change, there is no time to lose.