Sign Our Pledge

...To protect health through active engagement to limit the causes of human-caused climate change...

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Current total of sign ups: 5965

We pledge:

- to protect health through active engagement to limit the causes of human-caused climate change

Tackling climate change and ending poverty are the two most important, urgent priorities to ensure global health, justice and survival for present and future generations.

- in this regard, to advocate

the establishment of a global, systematic, and consistent approach, led and implemented by governments NOW, based on an agreed global framework
the redistribution of resources

A consistent and equitable framework will promote the health, social justice, and survival of current and future generations, both rich and poor, both locally and globally.

See what the Council wants the framework to contain.

By signing this pledge you are adding weight to the health voice. This is a major component of our advocacy work. This pledge is underpinned by our Declaration. By supporting our Declaration you join us as a member of the Council.

Signed the pledge? Joined the Council? Looking for more ways to get active and get involved? Go to Get More Involved.

Ten practical actions*

Inform ourselves about the basic science of climate change, the health benefits of taking action, and the urgency of doing so.
Advise our patients. Better diet and more walking and cycling will improve their health and reduce their carbon emissions.
Use less energy ourselves (and reduce costs) by more insulation in the roof, walls, and floors; turning off appliances and lights; and, where possible, reducing use of goods and services.
Drive the car less; fly less; walk or cycle more; use public transport; drive an efficient car; share cars; hold meetings by teleconference, videoconference, or webcasting; attend fewer international conferences.
Influence food menus wherever we go — ask for local food, less meat, and less processed food; a low carbon diet is a healthy diet. Drink tap water.
Advocate locally, especially in primary care, to maximise home insulation and uptake of relevant grants.
Advocate for personal carbon entitlements within an equitable, fair shares global framework, such as Contraction and Convergence.
Advocate to stabilise population — by promoting literacy and promoting women's access to birth control, through the International Planned Parenthood Federation or Marie Stopes International.
Be a champion: put climate change on the agenda of all meetings — clinical teams, committees, professional networks. Doctors can tip opinion with chairs and chief executives.
Gear up your own influence and that of all health professionals by joining the Climate and Health Council or the Health and Sustainability Network, or both.

*Taken from 'Ten Practical actions for doctors to combat climate change' J Griffiths J, A Hill, J Spiby, M Gill, R Stott BMJ 2008;336:1507. Read more.

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