The health profession and climate change: Advocacy needed

Edward J Coetzee, MB ChB, FRCOG, FCOG (SA)

Emeritus Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cape Town

Correspondence to: Edward Coetzee (ecoetzee@uct.ac.za)

Advocacy is defined as support or argument for a cause or a policy. The lead article in this journal certainly suggests major changes in lifestyle, which will not be palatable to all in the health profession. Do we need to be advocates for the policy of auditing and curtailing our use of energy? One thing is certain – as a result of overpopulation and a massive reliance on fossil fuels for energy we are releasing far more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than ever before. Together with other greenhouse gases this will result in global warming and major changes in climate.

The World Medical Association and World Health Organization have been strong advocates for policy changes related to our carbon emissions.1 , 2 The World Medical Association has pledged to fully involve physicians and national medical associations in the development of policies to prevent or reduce the health impact of climate-related emissions, in particular those initiatives which will also improve the general health of the population.1 The following priority interventions are summarised from the World Health Organization’s regional committee for Africa in 2011:2

• Undertake baseline risk and capacity assessments.

• Build capacity based on the needs and gaps identified in the above assessment.

• Implement integrated environment and health surveillance to support timely and evidence-based decisions.

• Undertake awareness raising and social mobilisation.

• Promote public health-orientated environmental management.

• Scale up existing public health inter-ventions.

• Strengthen and operationalise the health components of disaster reduction plans.

• Promote research on climate change impacts and adaptation.

• Strengthen partnerships and inter-sectoral collaboration.

The South African government and the Department of Health have individually published their responses to the problem.3 , 4 However, we need a united front to deal with these problems. We have to include not only the health department, but all departments involved in the environment, such as energy, agriculture, mining and water affairs. The government must realise that the time for only speaking the right words is far behind us and action is needed. Africa will bear the major burden of the negative impacts of global warming, and most countries on the African continent are ill-prepared for this event. As one of the most privileged countries in Africa we need to take a leading role. The Government White Paper on Climate Change published in October 2011 states:3

‘Amongst a range of environmental constraints that are of necessity playing an increasing role in social development planning, climate change represents the most urgent and far-reaching challenge of our time. While every country will have to develop its own adaptive responses to the effects of climate change, mitigating climate change to ensure the disruption caused to human and natural systems is within manageable parameters, can only arise out of a global response. Furthermore, responding to climate change is a cross-generational challenge. The effects of action or inaction will not be felt immediately, but will have significant consequences for future generations.

‘It is within this context, and informed by an appropriate sense of urgency, that the South African government has developed this National Climate Response Policy. The current plan represents the first iteration of South Africa’s ongoing efforts to adapt to climate change and contribute to the global mitigation effort. In terms of our contribution to the global mitigation effort, the decision to institute sectoral desired emission reduction outcomes and carbon budgets is momentous – it represents a concrete and practical commitment by South Africa.

‘Realising this commitment will require sustained effort and cooperation from all spheres of government, the private sector and civil society formations, and ultimately will depend on decisions by individual citizens to embrace climate-friendly lifestyles and habits. Everyone is a stakeholder in this plan, and the level of engagement from the public in the process of drafting the national Climate Change Response suggests that there is no shortage of the requisite will to make the far-reaching changes that are required.’

In December 2011 the South African government hosted the 17th Conference of the Parties and alongside this Dr Motsoaledi, our national Minister of Health, gave the keynote address at a summit on health and climate change (http://www.climateandhealthcare.org). The summit was attended by many professional groups in South Africa, including the South African Medical Association (SAMA). Dr Fazel Randera spoke about SAMA’s current response and explained that a 5-member task team has been set up to look at the issue and that a draft policy had been created. He also mentioned a campaign to sensitise members and interact with key stakeholders as well as an awareness poster. SAMA endorsed the final Durban Declaration from the summit which is summarised in Panel 1.5

We hope that health professionals will support these statements through practical action in their own lives, communities and practices and through membership of these professional bodies advocate for the necessary action by government and international bodies.

The matter is urgent. The health of the world’s population is at risk. The time for action is now.

References

1. Climate Change and Health Care – Advocacy Kit. UN Climate Change Conference, Copenhagen, 7 - 18 December 2009, WMA.

2. Public Health Adaptation to Climate Change in the Africa Region – 61st Session of the Regional Committee for Africa, Cote d’ Ivoire, WHO AFR/RC61/10, 2011.

3. National Climate Change Response White Paper, Government of South Africa, October 2011.

4. National Climate Change and Health Adaptation Plan, Department of Health, Republic of South Africa, July 2011.

5. The Durban Declaration on Climate and Health, Climate Change and Health Summit, 17th Conference of the Parties, 4 December 2011.

Available at http://www.climateandhealthcare.org/action/summit/durban-declaration/ (accessed 31 December 2011).