Synopsis

“Tackling climate change could be the greatest global health opportunity of the 21st century” according to The Lancet in 2015. Research shows that health professionals are generally aware of the threats of climate change to health. But what is the role of the medical professional? This talk will highlight possible avenues for both individual and collective action.

Improving our own hospital’s sustainability efforts will be a key activity. Healthcare itself contributes to large amounts of waste – both physical and ethereal (gases) and consumes much goods and services. The consumption of goods in particular has a large environmental footprint. Does this really matter? How do we quantify this? What can a doctor or anyone else in the hospital do about it?

Speakers

Dr Karen Kiang is a senior paediatric registrar and the Immigrant Health Fellow at The Royal Children’s Hospital. She has an interest in refugee and international child health, and how climate change affects child health locally and globally. She is an active member of Doctors for the Environment Australia, and sits on the RACP Climate Change and Health Working Party.

Dr Forbes McGain is an anaesthetist and ICU physician at Western Health who has recently completed a PhD at Melbourne University surrounding the theme of hospital sustainability. He is passionate about research, civilisation and nature.