What can professional medical societies do to mitigate climate change?

Abstract

The climate emergency affects us all as individuals but also has major adverse effects on health and healthcare provision. Professional medical societies can advocate and educate, but can also lead by example. Medical societies can feel the same sense of helplessness, futility or a sense that it is not their responsibility which individuals face, but there are real and effective changes which can be implemented at organisational level. These positive changes will be multiplied as more societies engage and can be amplified with collaborative efforts. Often it can be difficult to know where or how to start, but there are examples from around the world, and some guidance, which can help with this process. As awareness and concern grows, there is a greater scientific exploration of environmental sustainability on healthcare, and this works in parallel with practical guidance on how to mitigate the adverse effects. Professional medical societies can promote and support research in this area but can also undertake practical measures within their organisations and associated activities. The World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO) surveyed the leaders of its 117 member societies (49% response).1 While the majority agreed that there was a climate crisis, and that this was caused by human activity, 80% felt that their society had more pressing issues and only 16% had an education programme related to it. 49% of respondents had reduced their personal carbon emissions, but this applied to their medical society in only 26%. On a positive note, 46% were planning to form a climate change working group, although there is clearly an opportunity for others to engage in this process. The first step for an organisation might be to acknowledge that there is a climate emergency, and that it is a threat to health. The next step would be to declare an intention …