Surveys show that the majority of U.S. physicians in several specialties are caring for patients who are experiencing direct health harms due to climate change. Physicians should respond to this crisis with meaningful activities performed within the context of their current roles.
Beyond the basic role of providing medical care, physicians can respond to the public health crises of climate change in several ways. Doctors are some of the most universally trusted individuals in society. Because public trust in doctors is high and doctors are familiar with the role of explaining science to the public, the education role is an obvious opportunity. The role of healthcare professionals as climate change educators is consistent with the mission of medicine and aligns with the role of physicians as we know it. Knowing how to protect ourselves from the health consequences of climate change is a matter of good healthcare.
Other opportunities flow from the fact that doctors are respected community leaders and serve as responsible health professionals within the health system. Physicians are advocates as well, speaking individually and through their societies for meaningful solutions based on consensus values. The response to the threat of climate change should be through any or all these roles. |
