Climate Change

24 articles
by Alykhan Abdulla

Will we let the fires of 2023 keep burning?

In our safe country, we “react” to disasters like the forest fires or flooding with exorbitant efforts and resources after the crises. But we also lose track of key commitments to civil society and human progress.

by Jan Hajek

As individuals, we can take steps to reduce the risk for the next pandemic

We don’t just have to be anxious or fearful about the next pandemic. We can push governments for systemic changes. But we can also take small, concrete steps as individuals to make a difference.

by Francis Vergunst Helen Berry Kelton Minor Nicholas Chadi

Climate change contributing to harmful substance use

Weather-related disasters spurred on by climate change cause not only environmental devastation, but wreak havoc on our mental health and well being. This leads to higher rates of substance misuse.

by Leighton Schreyer Laurie Yang

Our health-care system is a major contributor to climate change. That must stop

The urgency of the climate crisis is only ramping up and our health-care system not only experiences the consequences of climate change but is also a major contributor to the crisis. It's our responsibility to act and make our health-care system a more sustainable one.

by Margaret McGregor Courtney Howard Amira Aker

Woefully inadequate: Dearth of funding for biomedical health research reflects our environmental racism

Biomedical research policy needs to begin addressing environmental racism and justice and expand funded research for climate change, environmental and planetary health.

by David Ponka

Even a child can see collaboration is essential to save the Canadian health-care system

Everything is related; solutions must once again be aligned, locally scaled and human centred. We need a more stable, unified approach in health care. We need more transformative models moving forward. Above all, we need primary care and public health to join forces to prepare us for the next big challenge – climate change.

by Doctors for Planetary Health – West Coast

Fossil fuels are the new tobacco. The health sector must take action

The health sector should treat the fossil-fuel industry as it has treated the tobacco industry – by revealing its health impacts, divesting, severing all financial and commercial links as soon as possible, and urging others to do the same.

by Kevin Liang

A plea from a family medicine resident: We must recognize the changing nature of primary care to prevent an exodus of doctors

The pandemic and climate crisis have put extra strain on the already evolving primary care system and worsened the B.C. family-doctor shortage. But the current structure of family medicine has not adapted.

by Doctors for Planetary Health – West Coast

Taking action

Our health-care system is very energy intensive and produces large volumes of solid waste and toxic waste. But this is, in fact, counter to our ethical duty to do no harm, which must include not harming the environment and the health of people and communities.

by Doctors for Planetary Health – West Coast

Health professionals have a role to play in ‘Our Planet, Our Health’

Canadian health professionals have a role to play in protecting and restoring the health of the planet, which is after all the ultimate determinant of the health of the population.

by Jeffrey Mo

The paradox of CO2: Leading cause of climate change essential for food, drink – and COVID vaccines

Carbon dioxide is the leading cause of climate change. But when the U.K. experienced a shortage of CO2 last year, it drove consumer fears of higher prices for food and drink. At the heart of this paradox is that, for all the damage that CO2 does, it also has some essential uses in modern society.

by Trevor Hancock

Practising health care as if the planet matters

Canada has committed to developing climate-resilient, low-carbon health systems. But regrettably, Canada did not commit to creating a net-zero emissions health-care system. It's now up to provincial governments.

by Trevor Hancock

Doctors and nurses declare a climate and ecological ‘Code Red’ for B.C.

A coalition of health professionals recently rallied in Victoria, B.C., to declare a state of climate emergency in B.C. and lay out a plan for the transformative change that will improve the health of the people of B.C. – and the world beyond.

by Doctors for Planetary Health – West Coast

An agenda for action on planetary health

As physicians, nurses, and other health professionals, we are already seeing the devastating impacts of climate and ecological crises. Here's what the B.C. government must do to transition to a sustainable, just, and healthy society at peace with nature. 

by Carolin Kroeger Sara Rotenberg

Extreme heat is here to stay. Canada must adapt.

The extreme heat wave that recently boiled Canada is just a preview of what the future holds in store. It's high time we began preparing for dangerous heat in the future. Here are some ways we can start.

by Trevor Hancock

Planetary health: The missing priority in CIHR’s new strategic plan

The government agency CIHR released two documents meant to address issues important to the health of Canadians and direct research toward them. But both are unforgivably ignorant of the importance of the ecological determinants of health.

by Melissa Lem Claudel Pétrin-Desrosiers

Healthcare’s alarming carbon footprint can no longer be ignored

by Colin Sue-Chue-Lam Kevin Liang Courtney Howard

Medical conferences must face virtual reality

1 of 2