Following discussion at the IPS Management Executive Group last week, the IPS is making a public declaration that we believe the climate emergency is a health emergency, and that it requires urgent action.
This statement reflects wording from the NHS in 2020 as well as the World Health Organisation’s statement that “Climate change is the single biggest health threat facing humanity.” It is made in acknowledgment that (as described by the CDC) climate change will intensify existing health threats including vector-borne diseases and water-borne diarrhoeal infections, and will cause new threats to emerge.
Healthcare contributes to almost 5% of global CO2 emissions, so is currently making the situation worse. IPC practitioners have key expertise that is needed to change healthcare so that it is delivered in a sustainable way which does not contribute to climate change. By making this statement the IPS is joining many other healthcare organisations in committing to acting and advocating to make those changes.
