What can you do to save the planet? The role of the health sector in mitigating climate change: Best practice examples from the WHO European region

Transcription

1 What can you do to save the planet? The role of the health sector in mitigating climate change: Best practice examples from the WHO European region Dr Louise Newport London, UK HEAL Webinar, 8/9/2015 1

2 Where are we now? Climate Change is happening Temperature Land Sea Mid atmospheric temperature Air Humidity Sea level Snow cover Arctic sea ice Glaciers 2 Latest observations, IPCC AR5, 2014

3 Variation of summer temperatures over Europe, relative to the pre-industrial period ( ) shows man-made Greenhouse Gas impact Observed temperatures Simulated temperatures Simulated temp if pre-industrial GHG conc 2060s s 3 Source: Met Office, 2014

4 Climate Change and Health the Challenge Climate Change is a public health problem: Increased heat-related illness, skin cancer and death from respiratory and cardiovascular disease. The 2003 pan-european heatwave caused 70,000 deaths across Europe and 2000 deaths in England and Wales this would be a normal summer by Flood-related illness, mental health and displacement From 2007 summer floods, a 2-5x increase in mental health symptoms seen in flood victims. Increase in food, water and vector-borne diseases Climate-sensitive diseases - Dengue and malaria have migrated up into Southern Europe UK vectors now seen. Health impacts relating to air quality and aeroallergens Increased ozone exacerbating asthma and 12x increase in pollen including from invasive plant species. Pressure on healthcare providers to keep services running in extreme weather Currently 90% of hospital wards are at risk of overheating and 6-8% of hospitals, care homes and surgeries at risk to river and coastal flooding Climate Change risks undermining the last half century of health gains [Lancet Commission on Climate Change and Health] 4

5 and the benefits to health of a low carbon lifestyle Action against climate change has benefits to health reducing Non-Communicable Diseases cancer, heart disease, obesity etc. by reduced urban air pollution increased active transport reduced red meat Increased green spaces Lower carbon saves lives! 5

6 What s DH doing International WHO CC Resolution (2008), Air Pollution (2015) Parma Declaration (2010) Regional Framework UNFCCC COP Paris 2015 National Climate Change Act (2008) reduce 80% by 2050 Carbon footprint of NHS, public health and social care: 40% of the public sector s total carbon emissions 72% of carbon footprint is linked to procurement 150m Energy Efficiency Sustainability Funds - To reduce emissions? NHS Sustainability Day pockets of good practice. Eg Barts TLC, 105k saved - 35m+ across NHS? Sustainable Development Strategy - Health, Public Health and Social Care, Jan 2014, SDU. DH / Whitehall Greening Gov t Commitments Printing, Waste, Energy use, Domestic flights etc 6

7 UNFCCC Paris COP-21 a health treaty! Voice of the health sector being raised - WHO more involved in UNFCCC - Chan and Figueres country profiles - Lima COP20 request, Health in text Health is central to this environmental issue Leapfrog polluting power solar powered hospitals - electric vehicles clean air healthy, active people - it can be done! 7

8 Climate Change and Health what we can do The run-up to Paris represents a great opportunity and the health sector hold a unique position of trust : We can help raise the profile of climate change through making the link to health dispelling myths and confirming the reality of climate change who can you tell? There are benefits to health and cost savings to be won through investing in sustainability what could you save? Seek to mainstream climate resilience and sustainability into all policies and practices, for future healthy, resilient, sustainable communities what can you do - today? 8

9 Lower carbon saves lives! and money! Thank you Dr Louise Newport 9