Sustainable Development
The human race is facing a threat that is perhaps unparalleled in its history – the effects of climate change brought about by harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
Without drastic measures to significantly reduce emissions, our fundamental means of existence will be at serious risk. Taking action on climate change should therefore be a public health priority.
And the health and healthcare community can and must lead the change to a healthier, sustainable, low-carbon future.
FPH publications
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Sustaining a Healthy Future - taking action on climate change gives you lots of ideas and tips on how to live and work more sustainably
- Take action on active travel
Environmental Sustainability & Public Health Training in the UK
March 2013
Climate change is a key public health challenge of the 21st century. To address this we need to move to a more sustainable way of living and working. This report presents what public health registrars in the UK have been doing to accelerate this shift. With a foreword by President Elect Professor John Ashton, it offers examples of work done to make both public health training and work more sustainable.
Sustainable Development and Health: Key policy documents
- The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report (2007)
- Background information and updates on the progress of the UK Government's Draft Climate Change Bill
- Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change (2006)
- The UK Climate Change Programme (2006)
- Taking the Temperature – Towards an NHS Response to Global Warming (2007)
- Climates and Change – the Urgent Need to Connect Health and Sustainable Development (2007) [pdf]
- Sustainable Development: Environmental Strategy for the National Health Service (2005)
- Building Health: Creating and Enhancing Places for Healthy, Active Lives (2007)
- The Health Effects of Climate Change in the UK (2001)
A joint stand for collective action
22 January 2008
FPH and 18 other organisations have issued a joint statement: It's Time to Act on Climate Change [pdf].
This has been sent to to all UK primary care trusts, strategic health authorities and acute trusts asking them to prioritise action on climate change, particularly as this will also have a positive impact on other major public health challenges such as obesity and inequalities.