There is growing recognition of the link between climate change and our health and wellbeing. The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) believes we must act now to reduce the impact of climate change on the society.
Until recently the focus of the climate change debate has been on rising sea levels and melting ice caps. We are now realising that it also presents one of the most significant challenges to public health we have ever faced, putting at risk the very pillars of life: clean water, sanitation, air quality and food.
We believe that human health must be at the heart of action on climate change. It must be embedded in the political debate, in strategies to change how we live and in how we plan for the future. Environmental health practitioners (EHPs) should be key players in this process
EHPs have the understanding, the skills, and the opportunities to make a significant contribution to what must be a shared priority for all of society. They can make this contribution in three core domains: externally with the businesses, organisations and communities they work with on a daily basis, internally within their own organisations and individually at a personal level.
This work will involve not only developing activities and interventions to help reduce carbon emissions (mitigation) but also preparing for the effects of things such as more frequent heatwaves and floods, food and water shortages, a rise in infectious diseases and in the incidence of pests and even population movements.
As part of its contribution to climate change activities, the CIEH has created this web based resource specifically for environmental health practitioners (EHPs) to help raise awareness, provide motivation and support.
On the right you will find links to two reports. The first – Climate Change and its Health Implications – examines the likely health impact of climate change and presents information and strategies for those working in environmental health in the United Kingdom. The second - Climate Change, Public Health and Health Inequalities - sets out the basic arguments surrounding climate change and calls for action. It discusses major issues facing EHPs like securing a safe food supply and combating pest borne disease. Both reports contain a comprehensive list of references and links for practitioners wishing to examine the issues in greater detail.
The CIEH is also supporting the work of The Climate Connection.This is a web based resource for the public health community, enabling the sharing of knowledge, experience and ideas on climate change and health. The site is designed to encourage inter-professional collaboration, active learning and a growing understanding of the interactions between climate change, carbon emissions and the determinants of health. Individuals and organisations are encouraged to establish a presence on the site, to upload relevant events and resources and share their experience and thinking on action for climate change in public health.
Through this resource and by working with its partners the CIEH is committed to ensuring that EHPs remain equipped to maximise their vital contribution to meeting the climate change challenge.