Physician, Heal Thy Earth
Why Doctors Need to Join the Fight Against Climate Change
World Medical Association President Leonid Eidelman, December 8, 2018 (Fortune)
“…[The modern Hippocratic Oath professional codes in many countries require doctors’] dual loyalty to] patients and the society…[To uphold this responsibility, doctors] need to take an active role in defending their patients from the adverse effects of climate change…[They are] well-suited to do so…[Physicians often have close relationships with patients and their families…who respect their] obligation to advise…[Doctors can] help patients understand climate change impacts of] their use of transportation, living in environmentally efficient housing, and [eating less meat, wasting less] food, and using fewer single-use products and packaging…
…[Doctors can also rethink] the environmental footprint of their practices…The side effect of saving natural resources is often saving] money…Hospitals have been huge energy wasters…[but sustainable] medical centers are being built and are running already—with no detriment to medical process and patient care…[Finally, doctors constitute a powerful constituency…[Medical organizations and individual doctors can talk to politicians about the human dimension of climate change predictions and] divest from high carbon dioxide-producing industries…[and boost] environmentally responsible investing…[to tell markets the environment is more valuable] than short-term returns on investments…” click here for more
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