Health Workers Deliver Open Letter Calling For Urgent Climate Action

The world’s leading GP and health bodies, representing more than 3 million health professionals worldwide, have delivered an open letter calling for urgent action on climate change.

Health workers are demanding governments urgently phase out fossil fuels and fast-track renewable energy as they see widespread impacts on human health from the climate crisis.

“We the family doctors, doctors and health professionals of the world call on world leaders to take urgent action to safeguard the health of global populations,” the open letter reads.

Health Emergencies Triggered By Climate Change

“Yet in the face of increasing harm and suffering, new fossil fuel resources continue to be developed and greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise.”

The signatories include health bodies from Canada, India, Europe, the UK and Pacific nations, including Australia’s peak body for GPs and rural medicine.

They are demanding all governments end the expansion of any new fossil fuel infrastructure and production, phase out existing fuels, remove subsidies and invest in renewables.

GPs Motivating Patients To Prepare Emergency Plans

If the world is to have any chance of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and halting the escalation of the health emergency, the concerning proliferation of fossil fuels must end.

GPs have an important role to play, including in discussing and motivating patients to prepare emergency plans based on local climate threats and their own personal needs.

Maria Neira, the World Health Organisation’s environment, climate change and health director, stressed climate change was potentially the “greatest health challenge of the 21st century”.

An Insight Into WONCA 2023

Nicole Higgins, the president of Australia’s peak body for GPs, said “preventive action is crucial”, highlighting the pressing need to be prepared for the health impacts of climate change.

The call comes as Sydney hosts a conference for the world’s doctors where health bodies discuss their country’s experiences of climate change and its effects on human health.

Held from October 26 to 29, the World Organisation of Family Doctors (WONCA) World Conference 2023 will offer a dynamic programme to share research and build best practice.