CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTS HEALTH CARE -RETHINKING ABOUT HEALTHY ENERGY FOR SUSTAINABILITY

Abstract

Climate change is the biggest global challenge of the 21st century for decision-makers in most diverse countries. There is already a wide range of increasing health problems all over the world. Rethinking healthcare due to climate change malady is a big public health challenge and process.
In order to protect local and global health from climate change and its sources, it is needed to move toward an economy based on clean, renewable, healthy energy.
Health care providers, hospitals and health systems, decision makers should play a leadership role in this transition (EU hospitals are roughly responsible for 5% of the CO2 emission annually).
In our mission to preserve health, we health professionals, should work together towards reducing our own climate footprint, better preparedness for climate health impacts, and leading the way to low-carbon future.
By raising our voice for healthy energy combating climate change and make activities moving toward low carbon health systems, we can mitigate our own climate impact, make savings and lead by example.
Lessons from ULB about the importance of education for environmentally friendly health care and facilities, and HEAL’s experiences in activities for healthy energy could be useful for decision making process in Serbia
Key words: Climate change, healthy energy, healthcare, health professionals, sustainability