Doctors demand action from politicians on climate change

The leaders of 18 of the world's professional medical organisations have written an open letter, published in the BMJ and the Lancet, urging doctors to demand that their politicians listen to the facts on climate change and act now to avoid catastrophy.

"In December this year, world governments meet in Copenhagen, Denmark, to negotiate a new UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. There is a real danger that politicians will be indecisive, especially in such turbulent economic times as these. Should their response be weak, the results for international health could be catastrophic. Doctors are still seen as respected and independent, largely trusted by their patients and the societies in which they practise. As leaders of physicians across many countries, we call on doctors to demand that their politicians listen to the clear facts that have been identified in relation to climate change and act now to implement strategies that will benefit the health of communities worldwide."

The letter was signed by the presidents of the following organisations:

• Academy of Medicine Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,
• American College of Physicians, Philadelphia, PA, USA,
• Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons, Dhaka, Bangladesh,
• Ceylon College of Physicians, Colombo, Sri Lanka,
• College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan, Karachi, Pakistan,
• College of Physicians of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,
• College of Physicians of South Africa, Rondebosch, South Africa,
• Colleges of Medicine of South Africa, Rondebosch, South Africa,
• Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, Hong Kong, SAR China,
• Hong Kong College of Physicians, Hong Kong, SAR China,
• Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Sydney, NSW, Australia,
• Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada,
• Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Glasgow,
• Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Edinburgh,
• Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland,
• Royal College of Physicians of Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand,
• West African College of Physicians, Lagos, Nigeria,
• Royal College of Physicians of London, London NW1 4LE

Link to BMJ letters page here and editorial here.

Link to Lancet coverage here.