Dear Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Canadian Delegation at the COP21 Climate Change Negotiations,
As you begin work in Paris, please know that you carry the hopes of the Canadian medical profession with you.
Dr Margaret Chan, World Health Organization (WHO) Director General has stated that COP21 “may be the most important health agreement of the century, an opportunity not only to reduce climate change and its consequences, but to promote actions that can yield large and immediate health benefits, and reduce costs to health systems and communities.” Indeed, doing so in a manner that enhances health can make Canadians and human communities everywhere more resilient, and more capable of absorbing, adapting and reshaping in response to climate change.
Therefore, we, the undersigned physicians and medical students of Canada, call on the Government of Canada to:
1. Adopt a strong, universal and ambitious global climate agreement at COP21 in which the protection and promotion of health is a central principle.
2. Integrate health considerations into all national planning processes regarding climate mitigation and adaptation.
3. Phase out fossil fuel subsidies and instead use this public money to accelerate the transition to renewable energy, protect fresh water and support climate-friendly agriculture.
4. Prioritize actions that both reduce climate change and improve health, including reducing the number of deaths from cancer, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases that are caused by air pollution (approximately 1/8 worldwide) through actions such as creating a 10-year timeline to the phase-out of coal-powered electricity in Canada.
According to the World Health Organization: “Climate change is the greatest threat to global health in the 21st Century.” What patients have we already seen affected in Canada? A little girl in the Saskatoon ER with an asthma exacerbation from wildfire smoke, tearful after being evacuated from her house in Northern Saskatchewan. An 80-year-old woman dying of heat stroke after sweltering through another heat wave in her Toronto apartment. A family in a fly-in community in Canada’s North eating less high-quality lean protein and more empty calories as caribou become more scarce and travel on ice becomes more dangerous. And many more, including people affected by the emergence and spread of infectious diseases like Lyme Disease, as climate change shifts the probability curve of a variety of illnesses, making them more common, and more severe.
Indirect effects of the changing climate such as drought are also critical as they can lead to failed crops, as was seen in Alberta this summer. In less resilient areas, this can lead to malnutrition, which may contribute to conflict and refugee flows, as is the case in Syria.
To leave our children a livable world we must keep global surface temperature warming below two degrees Celsius. To do this, 80 per cent of economic fossil fuel reserves must be left in the ground. Fortunately, we have developed the technology to make this possible: studies show that Canada can achieve 100 per cent low-carbon electricity by 2035 and decrease emissions by 80 per cent by 2050. We can do no less.
The good news is that many measures that decrease emissions also improve health. For that reason, the Canadian Medical Association promotes a 10-year timeline to a Canadian coal-power phase-out, endorses physician involvement in active transport initiatives, and supports lending a health rationale to carbon pricing initiatives. CMA policy also encourages MDs to work as part of multidisciplinary teams to provide the unifying voice of health to achieve climate goals. This is an effort well-spent for physicians: the Lancet states that “tackling climate change could be the greatest global health opportunity of the 21st century.”
Presenting climate change in a health frame has been shown to be the best way to motivate a population to action. Yet, climate change is just starting to be covered in medical schools and medical conferences. Changing this will be our profession’s first step towards integrating climate care into health care.
Dr Rudolf Virchow, a prominent 19th century MD, said that “Medicine is a social science, and politics nothing but medicine at a larger scale.” Never has that been more true than in the work the Government of Canada will do at COP21 and subsequently in Canada to optimize climate-health.
As the physicians and medical students of this country we pledge to lend our skill-sets and energy to the shared goal of promoting health by protecting the planet. And we call on you to fully integrate health into your climate policy, and to show the utmost courage and resolve in the business of saving lives.
Signed,
Dr. Courtney Howard, MD, CCFP(EM), Climate-Health Lead Board Member, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, Canadian liaison to Global Climate and Health Alliance, Emergency Physician, Yellowknife
Ms. Kelly Lau, BASc, MDCM Candidate 2017, McGill University
Dr. James Orbinski OC, MSC, Bsc, MD, MA, CIGI Research Chair & Professor in Global Health | Balsillie School of International Affairs, Professor, School of International Policy and Governance | Wilfrid Laurier University, Professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
Dr. Curtis Lavoie, MD, CCFP EM, Assistant Professor, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
Dr. Cathy Vakil MD, CCFP, FCFP, Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON
Dr. Ryan Meili MD, CCFP, Family Physician, West Side Community Clinic, Assistant Professor, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Founder, Upstream: Institute for A Healthy Society
Dr. Warren Bell MD, Family Physician, Salmon Arm, British Columbia, Past- Founding President of Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment
Dr. Melissa Lem, MD, CCFP, Lecturer, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto
Ms Claudel P-Desrosiers, MDCM Candidate, National Officer for Global Health, IFMSA-Quebec
Dr. Paul Dhillon, CCFP, The Review Course in Family Medicine
Dr. Anne Gillies, MD FRCP(C), Paediatrician, Mental Health Outpatient Services, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
Dr. Sarah Giles, MD, CCFP(EM), DTMH, Family/emergency physician, Fort Smith, NWT, Assistant Clinical Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta. Field doctor, MSF
Dr. Dhenuka Radhakrishnan, University of Ottawa, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Dr. Brigitte Lemyre MD FRCPC, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa
Dr. Mike Benusic, MD, Resident Physician, University of Toronto
Dr. Darcy Scott, MD, FRCPC, Pediatrician, Stanton Territorial Health Authority, Clinical Lecturer, University of Alberta
Dr. Mary Jean Duncan,MD, FRCS(C), Assistant Professor,U of Ottawa, Paediatric Plastic Surgeon
Mr. David Galiano, MDCM candidate, President, IFMSA-Québec
Ms. Cheryl Young, BHSc, MD Candidate, University of Toronto
Dr. Elizabeth Shouldice, Assistant Professor , Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa, Emergency Physician, Queensway Carleton Hospital
Dr. Chris Mackie, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University
Dr. Jean Zigby, MD, CM, CCFP, President, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment; Faculty Lecturer, McGill University
Dr. Belle Song, MD, Resident in Family Medicine, Queen's University
Dr. Sian Tsuei, Resident Physician, University of British Columbia
Dr. Julie Hurteau-Miller, Pediatric radiologist, Assistant professor, University of Ottawa
Mr. Beau Frigault, MSc, University of Queensland, Medical Student
Dr. Justin Bell, MD, PGY1
Dr. Ritika Goel, MD, MPH, CCFP, Family Physician, Inner City Health Associates, Lecturer, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto
Dr. Lucy Barker, MD
Dr. Monika Dutt, MD, CCFP, FRCPC, Cape Breton University
Dr. Matthew Bromwich, MD, FRCSC, Assistant Professor, University of Ottawa, Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology.
Mr. Koray Demir, MDCM Candidate, National Officer of Human Rights and Peace, Canadian Federation of Medical Students
Dr. Benjamin Langer, MD, Family Medicine Resident, University of Toronto Department of Family and Community Medicine
Ms. Sharon Wang, BSc, Medical Student, McGill University
Dr. Carolina Jimenez, University of Ottawa
Ms. Kaylynn Purdy, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, MD Candidate 2018
Dr. Mark Scott, MD, CCFP(EM), Emergency Physician, Rockyview General Hospital, Clinical Lecturer, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary
Dr. Daniel Myran MD, Family Medicine Resident University of Ottawa
Dr. Alanna Fitzgerald-Husek, MD MPH CCFP, Resident Physician, Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
Dr. Catherine Pound, MD, FRCPC
Ms. Emily Deane, MDCM candidate, MSc, BSc, McGill University Faculty of Medicine
Mr. Bing Yu Chen, Local Officer for IFMSA Quebec Public Health
Ms. Cecilia Alvarez Veronesi, MASc, Med Student, University of Toronto
Dr. Ewan Affleck, CM, BSc, MDCM, CCFP, Chief Medical Information Officer, DHSS, GNWT, Faculty, University of Calgary, Department of Family Medicine
Ms. Joanna Afghani
Dr. Alex Hoechsmann MD, CCFP-EM, UBC, Clinical faculty
Dr. Thomas Piggott, MD, Resident Physician
Dr. Catherine Gray MD, MSc, FRCPC, Assistant Professor, University of Ottawa Department of Medicine
Ms. Ananthavalli Kumarappah, MD Candidate 1T8, University of Toronto
Dr. Amanda Murdoch PGY1 Queen's University
Dr. Margaret Boland, MD, FRCP(C), Pediatric Gastroenterologist, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa
Dr. Nicholas Brandon MD, CCFP, Resident, Public Health and Preventive Medicine University of Toronto
Dr. James Truong MD, Callander Lakeside Medical Clinic, North Bay Regional Health Centre ER, Northern Ontario School of Medicine
Dr. Christine Lamontagne, MDCM, FRCPC, Staff anesthesiologist, Assistant professor, University of Ottawa
Dr. Danyaal Raza, MD MPG CCFP, Staff Physician, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto ON, Lecturer, Dept. of Family & Community Medicine, University of Toronto
Dr. Shelly Xu, MD, Family Medicine Resident, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Dr. Katherine Kohle, MD CCFP, Family Physician, Yellowknife; MSc Epidemiology Student, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Dr. Rachel McGhee, Family Physician - Northern Health, UHNBC, UBC
Dr. Wendy Lai MD CCFP(EM), Staff, Department of Emergency Medicine, Humber River Hospital, Lecturer, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto
Dr. Mahli Brindamour, MD, FRCPC, Pediatrician, Assistant Professor, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan
Dr. Sarah Sawyer MD PhD
Dr. Marcos Bettolli, MD, FRCSC, University of Ottawa, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Associate professor, Department of Pediatric Surgery
Dr. Philip Miller, MD, CCFP(EM), Clinical Instructor, UBC Faculty of Medicine
Ms. Steph A. Pang, MDCM Candidate at Faculty of Medicine, McGill University
Ms. Eunice You, Medical student, McGill University, Faculty of Medicine
Dr. Annelise Miller, MDCM, Resident physician, University of Ottawa
Mr. Adam Burgess, student, Medical Student, University of Calgary
Dr. Larry Barzelai MD,CCFP, Family Physician, Assistant Professor UBC, Member of CAPE
Dr. Trevor Hancock MB,BS, MHSC, Hon FFPH (UK), Professor and Senior Scholar, School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria
Dr. Dayna Bell, MD, FRCPC, Pediatric Emergentologist, Assistant Professor, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa
Dr. Tom Kovesi, Pediatric Respirologist, Professor of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario and the University of Ottawa
Dr. Tandi Wilkinson, MD, CCFP-(EM), Clinical Associate Professor, UBC, Emergency Physician, Yellowknife NT, Associate Medical Director, UBC CPD
Dr. Gail Graham, FRCPC, FCCMG, Chief, Department of Genetics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
Saleha Munawar, BHSc, MD candidate, Queen's University School of medicine
Ms. Anne-Lou McNeil, MD candidate
Mrs. Aline D. Khatchikian, Laval University medical student, Regional Assistant of the Americas for the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations' Standing Committee of Public Health
Ms. Djamila Saad, MDCM Candidate, Vice-president for External Affairs, IFMSA-Québec
Ms. Sonya Krause, MCC Candidate, Masters of Climate Change, Candidate, University of Waterloo, Faculty of the Environment.
Dr. Tally Mogus
Dr. Tara Somerville MD CCFP, Family Physician, Port Elgin Ontario
Ms. Olena Zotova, McGill University, Medicine Preparatory Program Student
Dr. Leah Genge, MD, CCFP, DTMH, MSc, Family Physician - Calgary Urban Project Society (CUPS), Elbow River Healing Lodge, Clinical Lecturer, University of Calgary
Dr. Carolyn Nowry MD,CCFP
Dr. Maria Pelova, MD, CCFP, Professor assistant, University of Calgary
Dr. AnneMarie PEGG, MD, CCFP(EM), Emergency Coordinator, MSF France, Emergency Physician, Yellowknife Northwest Territories
Dr. Margaret McGregor, University of British Columbia, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Associate Professor
Dr. Sam Wong, MD, FRCPC, University of Alberta, Associate Clinical Professor
Ms. Synthia Meilleur, MDCM Candidate, Laval University
Mr. Charles-Antoine Barbeau-Meunier, Medical Student, Université de Sherbrooke; IFMSA-Québec
Dr. Susan Comay MD, Clinical instructor, UBC
Dr. Julie Martz MD CCFP
Ms. Sabrina Provost, MD Candidate, University of Montreal
Dr. Anna Stratis, MD CCFP
Dr. Kristina Krmpotic MD FRCPC
Mr. Kit Moran, Medical Student, Dalhousie University, Halifax NS
Ms. Marilie Samson, Medical student, Laval University, IFMSA
Dr. Robert James, MD, FCFP, Associate Clinical Professor (retired), Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Adjunct Professor, School of Health Policy and Administration, York University
Mr. Steve Lee, Foundation for Environmental Stewardship
Mr. Dylan Ginter, BSc, Student - University of Saskatchewan, College of Medicine
Ms. Nina Nguyen, MD Candidate, University of Sherbrooke, Quebec
Dr. Ashley Riskin, MD, CCFP, Founder/Director, Connect Health Centre for Integrative and Functional Medicine, Vancouver, BC, Emergency Medicine, Fraser Health
Dr. Suzanne Watters, Family physician, Comox, Bc
Dr. Kelly Gallins MD CCFP(EM), Hospitalist and Emergency Physician, Sidney BC
Dr. Joel Lexchin MD CCFP(EM), Professor, School of Health Policy & Management, York University, Emergency medicine doctor, University Health Network, Associate Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto
Dr. Danielle Froese MD, CCFP, FCFP
Dr. Saideh Khadir, MD, University of Montreal
Dr. Maja Stachura, MD, FRCPC, UBC
Mr. Jeremy Cygler, McGill University, MCDM Candidate, class of 2017
Jennifer Cortez, MD, CCFP, Partner, Highland Family Practice, Comox BC
Dr. Joe Vipond, MD, FCFP, CCFP(EM), Clinical Lecturer, University of Calgary, Member, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, Ms. Sarah Tremaine, MPH, Medical Student, Dalhousie University
Mr. Scott Haslam, RPh
Ms. Sarah Bryson, MSc
Ms. Ashley Robinson, Medical Student, Dalhousie University, Faculty of Medicine, First Year Medical Student
Dr. Riyad B. Abu-Laban, MD, MHSc, FRCPC, Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia
Ms. Laurie Dolcé, Medical student, Université Laval
Ms. Jessica MacIntyre, MSc, MD Candidate, Dalhousie University, Faculty of Medicine
Ms. Rebecca Psutka, MSc, BSc, Medical Student, University of Calgary class of 2016
Ms. Nicole Jedrzejko, MD Candidate 2017, McMaster University Michael G DeGroote School of Medicine
Mr. Christopher Letke, MD Candidate, McMaster University
Ms. Erin Budd, MD Candidate, Michael G Degroote School of Medicine, McMaster University
Dr. Terence Wuerz, MD, FRCPC, Assistant Professor, University of Manitoba
Dr Mélissa Langevin, MD, FRCPC (PEM), Assistant Professor, Emergency Physician, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
Dr. Claudia Kraft, MD, CCFP(EM), MSc, University of Ottawa, Faculty of Health Sciences, Associate Clinical Instructor & Northwest Territories Physician
Dr. Jennifer Cram MD, CCFP, Family Physician, Annapolis Royal, NS, Resident Physician, Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Toronto
Mr. William Enlow, IFMSA-Québec, Université Laval
Dr. David-Martin Milot, MDCM, MSc, Medical Resident in Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Sherbrooke
Dr. Lisa J. Jing Mu, MD, FRCPC, CCFP, Public Health and Preventive Medicine Specialist, Family Physician
Dr. Michel Welt, MC, CSPO, FRCS(c)
Dr. Louise Koclas, MD, FRCPC, Pediatrician, Clinical Faculty, McGill University
Patrick Steadman, MSc, MD/PhD Student, University of Toronto, PhD Student, Hospital for Sick Children, Junior Fellow, Massey College
Dr. Steve Kraus, MD, CCFP(EM), Stanton Regional Hospital, Yellowknife
Mr. Austin Yan, MSc, BArtsSc, MD/PhD Candidate, University of Ottawa
Dr. Margaret Becklake, Prof Emeritus of Medicine. McGill University
Dr. Sue Turgeon
Megan Schlorff, BHSc, McMaster University medical student
Ms. Xin Mei Liu, M.D., C.M. candidate of 2019, McGill University, Faculty of Medicine
Dr. Ewurabena Simpson, MD, MPH, FRCPC, Staff Physician, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa
Dr. Laara Banner, MD, CCFP, UBC Clinical teaching faculty for rural students and residents at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital in Trail, BC.
Dr. Peter Moosbrugger, MD, CCFP (COE), FCFP, Medical Director - The Views Residential Care, Physician Lead - Health Connections Clinic, Clinical Assistant Professor - UBC Strathcona Site
Dr. Richard Denton, BSc, MD, MClSc, CCFP, FCFP, FRRM, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Assoc. Prof. in Clinical Science, Family Medicine, Int'l Co-Chair, North America of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War
Mr. Antoine Mercier-Linteau, Étudiant en médecine, Université Laval
Dr. Gary Bota MD FRCP, Section Chair, Emergency Medicine, NOSM
To learn more about climate-health, please consider attending the Lancet session within COP21 'Sustainable Energy for All: Marrying climate change, development imperatives,' on Monday December 7th at 15.00-16.30 in Observer room 2. It is presented jointly with the UN Foundation and HELIO International.
This is an initiative of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE), Canadian Affiliate of the Global Climate and Health Alliance.
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