The grand convergence of “health care” and “climate change” (previously noted here) continues:
Doctors should give patients advice on climate change, a leading body of medical experts has claimed.
The Climate and Health Council, a collaboration of worldwide health organisations including the Royal College of Nursing, the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal Society of Medicine, believes there is a direct link between climate change and better health.
Their controversial plan would see GPs and nurses give out advice to their patients on how to lower their carbon footprint.
The Council believes that climate change “threatens to radically undermine the health of all peoples”… They believe that offering patients advice on how to lower their carbon footprint can be just as easy and achievable as helping them to stop smoking or eat a healthier diet.
Other proposals include for all developed nations to pay an extra five dollars a barrel on oil and a tax on airline tickets. This would go into a special fund to develop low-carbon alternatives to existing technologies, they say… “Overall, what is good for tackling climate change is good for health. Who better to spell out this message than health professionals?”
As it happens, British health professionals are already doing a terrific job at lowering your carbon footprint, especially at Basildon, Royal Bolton and Tameside hospitals.