HEALTH AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT NETWORK NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2009
Please send on to colleagues
www.healthandsustainability.net
OUR SELECTION OF KEY ITEMS FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION
FROM AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER
1. THE HEALTH PRACTITIONER’S GUIDE TO CLIMATE CHANGE – BOOK AND WEBCAST
The book was launched on 7 October at a debate attended by 100 people. It is written by key leaders from national organisations including the Met Office, the Indian Institute of Public Health in Hyderabad, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the Climate and Health Council, the Faculty of Public Health, the University of the West of England, Sustrans, Natural England, the National Social Marketing Centre, Brunel University, the NHS Sustainable Development Unit and the Health Protection Agency. To buy a copy, click on the link below and for a 20% discount enter the code AF20.
We are holding our first webcast on public health themes from the book on 21 October from 5.00 – 6.00 pm. To register, click on the link at the end of this item. Pass the message on to your colleagues.
Climate Change and Public Health: Practical Policy and Action
>> What are the health benefits of action on climate change?
>> How can health professionals show leadership on climate change?
>> How can strategic policy make health central to local communities?
Wednesday 21st October 2009 5pm UK time (GMT +1)
Join contributors from The Health Practitioner’s Guide to Climate Change – the first book to set out what health practitioners can do to prevent the worst impacts of climate change – for a practical, action-oriented Earthcast.
Ian Roberts, Mike Gill and Mala Rao will look at health policy in relation to climate change, both in the developed and developing world, and the crucial role that health professionals have to play in the run-up to Copenhagen. They will provide practical guidance on how to influence everything from international policy to community health strategies, and you will have the opportunity to have your questions answered by our expert panel.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Read Chapter 2 of The Health Practioner’s Guide to Climate Change ahead of the Earthcast.
20% DISCOUNT: Type EARTHCAST into the voucher code box in your shopping cart when ordering any book at www.earthscan.co.uk
Ian Roberts is Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Mike Gill is co-chair of the Climate and Health Council and was regional director of public health for the UK South East Region from 1998-2006.
Mala Raois director of the first Indian Institute of Public Health, based in Hyderabad.
To register, go to: https://earthscanevents.webex.com/earthscanevents/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=843506982
2. WHAT’S GOOD FOR THE CLIMATE IS GOOD FOR HEALTH
The Climate and Health Council have produced the attached campaigning flyer which summarises why a substantial and rapid reduction in greenhouse gas emissions presents an unrivalled opportunity to improve human health and social justice around the world.
Please use it and...
Please sign the Climate and Health Council pledge. This is part of a global campaign by doctors and other health professionals for urgent government-led international action to protect health by limiting climate change. Health professionals from over 100 countries have signed. Numbers do count! Go to http://www.climateandhealth.org/pledge/
3. THE 10-10 CAMPAIGN
10:10 is an independent campaign asking individuals to cut their carbon emissions by 10% by the end of 2010. The campaign launched at the Tate Modern on 1 September, and the entire UK Government cabinet have committed to cutting their personal carbon emissions. Over 15,000 people have signed up, and more than 800 businesses, educational institutions and organisations have also joined. To find out more about the campaign or to join up, go to http://www.1010uk.org/
There has been a fantastic response to the Campaign from the health sector - notable sign ups since the launch include: Guy's & St Thomas', South London & Maudsley, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Faculty of Public Health and NICE. To promote grass roots action and share ideas The Campaign for Greener Healthcare have established an email list which individuals can sign up to here:
http://lists.greenerhealthcare.org/mailman/listinfo/1010_health
4. THE FOUNDATION TRUST NETWORK – LEADING THE FIELD
Quality health care is greener health care ...
Go to www.nhsconfed.org/publications for the Foundation Trust Network’s important new publication about how Foundation trusts approach the sustainability agenda. This report is based on research by Dane Pflueger which we have featured previously in this newsletter. Foundation trusts rank the highest in terms of both clinical and sustainability performance, reflecting the prevailing view in the private sector that wherever environmental, social or ethical issues can be addressed businesses have an opportunity to innovate, create value and attract more customers. In other words, sustainability is core to being a high-performing organisation.
5. WHO EUROPE REPORT ON PROTECTING HEALTH FROM CLIMATE CHANGE
This new report focuses on preparing health systems to cope with the effects of climate change.http://www.euro.who.int/Document/E91865.pdf
6. VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.healthandsustainability.net
New items include:
· The Forum for the Future and NHS Sustainable Development Unit’s new publication Fit for the Future – Scenarios for low-carbon healthcare 2030
· The Faculty of Public Health’s handbook Sustaining a healthy future: Taking action on climate change
· Angela Raffle’s presentation for the Faculty of Public Health Conference in Scarborough on the transition movement and public health
The website of our partners, the Campaign for Greener Healthcare features coverage in the Lancet and British Medical Journal of doctors demanding action on climate change at the UN Copenhagen negotiations
http://www.greenerhealthcare.org/news/2009/09/doctors-demand-action-politicians-climate-change