Sustainable Development
Background
It is now established
beyond reasonable scientific doubt that the climate is changing
globally and that this is linked to human activity. [1] Population health
research has historically focussed on determinants of human health
such as behaviour, heredity, occupation, environmental exposures,
and health-care access. There is now recognition that sustained
population health depends also on the “biosphere”, the global
systems on which food and water supplies, the control of vectors
and infections diseases and the physical safety and comfort of
human populations all depend. The stability of the world’s climate
system is fundamental to these life-support systems. [2]
Climate variability and
change cause death and disease through natural disasters, such as
heatwaves, floods and droughts. In addition, many important
diseases are highly sensitive to changing temperatures and
precipitation. These include common vector- borne diseases such as
malaria and dengue; as well as other major killers such as
malnutrition and diarrhoea. Climate change already contributes to
the global burden of disease, and this contribution is expected to
grow in the future. The large scale displacement of populations due
to drought, flooding and the agricultural impact of climate change
raises the threat of economic collapse, military conflict and mass
migrations which would also impact on wealthier nations such as the
UK. [3]
A joint statement signed
by a wide range of NHS health organisations has supported the
Faculty of Public health in urging those in the health and
healthcare community to take the lead in tackling climate change
and promoting sustainable development. [4] As the largest single
organisation in the UK, the NHS is ideally placed to use its
immense spending power to make sustainable choices in its energy,
building and transport policies. Doctors and other health care
professionals can provide a powerful example to others in reducing
carbon emissions and promoting a healthy, sustainable future.
RCGP responded to the
climate change event held by the NHS confederation in June 2008 by
agreeing a Sustainable Development strategy grouped into three
areas:
- “what the College can do itself”
- “how the College could influence
GPs”
- “how wider perceptions of the College
could be positively influenced”
Position Statement
RCGP Scotland recognises
that the unsustainable use of resources poses a significant
challenge to public health in the 21st Century and that
human-induced climate change in particular threatens the long term
health and well-being of populations in the UK and globally.
RCGP Scotland confirms its
own commitment to moving towards sustainable low-carbon management
practices and policies. These include for example reducing
consumption of virgin natural resources, sustainable disposal of
waste products, more efficient energy usage and reducing the carbon
impact of travel.
RCGP Scotland believes
that General Practitioners have a responsibility to promote
sustainable development and to show leadership by example in
tackling climate change. The College will seek ways to inform and
support GPs in this responsibility and to influence the wider
agenda so that this duty can be exercised without financial
detriment to GP practices.
RCGP Scotland calls on the
Scottish Government to ensure that climate laws are enacted
that commit to reducing all of Scotland’s climate changing
emissions, set clear cumulative targets for emissions reductions
and include incentives and sanctions to help public bodies such as
NHS Boards cut emissions in their allocated sector.
For further information on the RCGP
Scotland Sustainability Strategy please contact Fiona Thomson, Business
and Finace Co-ordinator
1. Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change 2007 "IPCC Fourth Assessment Reoport
Climate Change 2007"
http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/syr/en/contents.html
2. World Health Organisation
2003 “Climate and human health: risks and responses”
http://www.who.int/globalchange/links/climate/en/index.html
3. World Health Organisation 2007 “Global Climate
Change: Implications for global public health policy” accessed on
25/11/08 on http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/85/3/06-039503/en/
4. Faculty of Public Health 2008 “Sustaining a Healthy
Future” accessed on 25/11/08 on
http://www.fphm.org.uk/resources/AtoZ/r_sustaining_a_healthy_future.pdf
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