21st Century Health Care
is Planetary Health Care
“People can’t be healthy when the planet is sick.”
Doctor AIR Care 2020
In 2009, the medical journal The Lancet declared Climate Change to be the 21 century’s greatest health threat. One day, this pandemic will come to an end, but the fallout of the climate crisis will still be with us, threatening everything we value, and threatening our health on this planet. It’s time for Health Care Professionals everywhere to step up to the plate, with audacious Personal, Professional, and Political action.
Recent blog posts from @KidsClimateDoc
Who is Dr. AIR Care anyway?
Dr. AIR Care is a pseudo-fictional character who in real life masquerades as a sane, rational, practicing pediatrician by the name of Dr. Elaine Blacklock. These two women share a deep concern for the health of our youth and the health of our planet. While Dr. Blacklock (EGB) continues working part-time as a pediatrician, Dr. AIR Care (AC) is busy night and day, probing the latest research on the many surprising truths about climate change and our health.
Dr. AIR Care is merciless and uncompromising in her views, and for better or worse, she’s also my conscience, as you will see below . . . Read on, if you dare.
A brief lecture from Doctor AIR Care: Good for the Planet, Good for You
First off, a warning: This is a no-mince-words website. I’m a no-nonsense woman, who says it like it is. I’m far from perfect, but I’m trying, and I’m really hoping you will too. So to get you started, here’s a brief synopsis of my recent reading and thinking:
If you want cleaner air in our cities and less climate change, DRIVE A LOT LESS. Or not at all.
If you want less fat around your middle, DRIVE A LOT LESS! Or not at all.
It’s all one and the same. Get out that BICYCLE, or maybe even your FEET and LEGS. And if you must own a car, get a small electric one, or join a car-share. With your new healthy lifestyle, you won’t be needing cars much anyway.
If you want to effectually reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke, obesity, diabetes, blood clots, cancer, etc. etc., STOP commuting two hours a day in stop-and-go traffic, spewing out emissions as you sip your double-double and munch down crappy croissants, all while breathing the exhaust of the car (or worse, the truck) in front of you. That’s just barmy, my friend. Take PUBLIC TRANSIT. WALK that first and last kilometer. Imagine, in no time at all you’ll find you have hiked an extra 10 Km each week! Even better, BIKE to work. The exercise you get has positive effects on your health that far outweigh the risk of an early and tragic massacre by motorized vehicle. Statistically, at least, chances are high that you will live much longer.
If you want to severely curtail greenhouse gas production and air/water pollution, STOP EATING all that meat and cheese! Our industrial farming system is wreaking havoc with the planet.
If you want to reduce your risk of innumerable diseases, STOP EATING all that meat and cheese! Start a love affair with beans and legumes. Pile that plate high with vegetables. Add nuts and seeds to your salad. Learn to grill zucchini. It’s amazing!
Want to have another mega-impact on your GHG emissions? DON’T FLY unless you absolutely must. Take up sailing, like Greta, or even wind surfing. Try out the TRAIN. Slow down the pace of your life. Have STAYCATIONS. Go hiking or biking close to home. PLAY with your kids in the park. Your blood pressure just might come down. You might avoid a fatal blood clot hitting your lungs. You will of course SAVE MONEY too, which you can use to plant trees, or hire a personal trainer.
The whole argument is a bit circular. What’s good for PLANETARY health is also what’s good for YOUR health. The overlaps are spectacular. The CHANGES required of you, however, are NOT inconsequential.
Warm Regards,
Dr. AIR Care (AC)
It’s Hallowe’en Friday, 2020. Sophia Mathur and friends have been climate striking on Friday afternoons for 2 full years. Doctor AIR Care emerges on the street . . .