Climate Change and the Health Sector

"Climate change has exacerbated, and will continue to exacerbate, diseases and ill health amongst all the people of the world - but particularly the poor and the vulnerable. The healthcare profession stands at the frontline of this escalating health impact, and this book, Climate Change and the Health Sector: Healing the World, applies the understandings and learnings from the fight against climate change to an array of healthcare priorities. This book is a call to action for all healthcare professionals. It sensitizes them to the exacerbating impacts of climate change on people’s health, and initiates their thinking on actions that can incorporate responses to these impacts in their own repertoire of approaches and tools to enhance human health. I commend AHPI for this great initiative, and in particular, congratulate Dr. Alex Thomas, Dr. Srinath Reddy, Ms. Divya Alexander and Dr. Poornima Prabhakaran for bringing together this volume."

Ajay Mathur, Member, Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change, and Director General, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi

"I applaud the editors for this very important addition to the field of medical education. In this book, the health sector’s considerable impact on climate change is clearly and comprehensively described, along with ways to minimise that impact. I agree with the laudable premise that our sector should lead by example, and this book is an excellent place to begin. The communication book had a major impact on the medical fraternity; similarly, I hope this book paves the way for widespread awareness and policy development with regard to climate change."

Dr Devi Shetty, Chairman, Narayana Health

"It is now universally realised that the health sector is one of the major contributors to greenhouse gases leading to climate change. This carbon emission takes place during the process of care delivery, while procuring technologies, through the consumption of energy and transportation, and by the usage and disposal of products. Climate Change and the Health Sector: Healing the World teaches the custodians of health to start thinking differently to safeguard the planet with the goal of becoming carbon neutral. In order to generate awareness and to enable young minds to think about innovations to break free from this vicious cycle, NBE would definitely consider incorporating this need-of-the-hour topic in its medical curriculum. We praise the efforts by Dr. Alex Thomas, AHPI and PHFI to focus on this novel concept by publishing this book which will be hugely beneficial to the health sector in adopting positive changes to protect the climate and to effectively reduce its negative effects on individual health. We congratulate Dr. Alex Thomas and his team on the successful release of this book."

Dr Abhijat Sheth, President, National Board of Examinations

"The book titled Climate Change and the Health Sector: Healing the World addresses an important niche area. It enlightens the reader on the economic impact of climate change through its effects on health, especially the most vulnerable. It also enlightens the reader on the priorities spelt out by the Government in this regard. The editors, with years of experience, have contributed chapters and also compiled input from other experts in the field, bringing depth and insight to this book. It will be very useful to students of public health, policy makers and other stakeholders."

Lt. Gen. Madhuri Kanitkar AVSM VSM, Deputy Chief, IDS (Medical)

"Climate Change and the Health Sector: Healing the World carefully interlaces a wide range of topics around how climate change affects the healthcare ecosystem. It is firmly grounded in evidence, and the practical examples take it beyond mere theory. The contributions by a diverse group of experts have been moulded into a cohesive and illustrative reference book for the healthcare community. This book is a valuable resource that describes how to promote sustainable operations in healthcare, and will particularly benefit any healthcare facility beginning its journey towards healthcare quality."

B. K. Rao, Chairman, National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities (NABH)

"A remarkable feat reminding us how climate change is intrinsically linked to public health, and the profound responsibility that state and society have to improve the standard of health and living. The volume will interest and inspire readers across different sectors, waking them up to the urgency of the now."

Dr Uttam Kumar Sinha, Climate Change Expert, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses

"With straightforward chapters and illustrative case studies written by prominent experts in the field of climate change and healthcare, this volume is very apt for the healthcare industry and especially for healthcare students, all of whom can benefit greatly from learning about this topic. The subject of climate change is not yet a part of the undergraduate medical curriculum, and this book fills a very important gap in their knowledge base."

Dr M. K. Ramesh, President, Postgraduate Medical Education Board, National Medical Commission

"Climate Change and the Health Sector: Healing the World is a comprehensive landmark resource book, with contributions from leading experts in climate change and public health. It examines the major contribution of the health sector towards the greenhouse gas emissions causing the climate crisis, as well as ways to mitigate the climate footprint in India. This book is compelling in its narrative and is a must-read for the multi-disciplinary health team."

Maj. Gen. Elizabeth John (Retd.), Former Additional Director-General, Military Nursing Service (ADGMNS)