The International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War view on climate change
Sarah Walpole interviews Alex Rosen for his organisation’s views on climate change
Alex Rosen
Alex Rosen is a Paediatrician working in Germany, and a member of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), an organisation which is committed to bringing a public health perspective to the debate surrounding nuclear war. IPPNW recognises the detrimental health effects of nuclear war, and is committed to preventing nuclear war and abolishing nuclear weapons.
Dr Rosen explains that IPPNW sees resource use and climate change as root causes of conflict, and argues strongly that doctors have an important role in addressing environmental issues to protect health.
Should health care professionals concern themselves with environmental issues and climate change? Why?
“Yes, most definitely. As physicians, it is our responsibility to find out what’s causing our patients’ problems. Climate change is a major factor in global health, leading to natural catastrophes such as tsunamis, floods and droughts, which in turn cause famines, destruction or even death. The medical paradigm is unique in its approach to problems. We examine and investigate, we research, we develop treatments and administer them, we follow up and we inform. Wherever we can, we try to prevent. ”
These very essential medical steps are what’s needed to approach environmental issues as well. We need to be involved in the research on the root causes of these health threats. We need to advocate for ways in which the individual can contribute to lessening his own impact on global climate and lobby governments to work for better climate policies. It was physicians that lobbied for seat belts in order to decrease the fatalities in traffic accidents. Similarly, physicians must now stand up and advocate for a sane and sustainable climate policy. ”
What action should individual health care professionals be taking?
“Amongst other things, we should realize that as physicians, people take our words seriously and listen to what we have to say - not just our patients, but the media and decision makers as well. We should use this position to advocate for better climate policies - from a medical point of view, citing renowned studies and always using the medical paradigm as a way to clarify our own stake in this issue.
“Every individual can be a role model, can live without creating a huge carbon footprint, for example by saving resources and energy, choosing to use the bicycle or bus instead of the car, or the train instead of the plane. If flying cannot be avoided, by paying money to an organization every time he or she flies to a conference. As doctors, we should do more than just reduce our own carbon footprint; we should inform the public and lobby decision makers. They will listen to us. The most important thing any one of us can do, however, is preserve energy.”
What link, if any, is there between the work of IPPNW and environmental sustainability?
“Dr. Bernard Lown, the Co-founder of IPPNW, stated that the North-South divide, the climactic catastrophe looming in the near future and the ensuing limitation of vital resource constitute the gravest causes for militarism, wars and nuclearization. We should address these widely accepted root causes of conflict. At our next world congress we will hold plenary sessions on climate change, renewable energies and globalization. IPPNW has seen the signs of time and is acting on them.
“The IPPNW Globalization Group, which we have charged with identifying viable ways in which our organization can contribute to reversing the dangerous effects of globalization have identified the conjecture of climate change and development gap as a prime target for our organization. They have asked the IPPNW Board of Directors to support a concept called “Contraction and Convergence” (C&C). C&C offers a unique opportunity to reduce the harmful effects of carbon dioxide emissions and at the same time tip the global balance of power towards the countries of the Global South, by capping CO2 emissions at a scientifically calculated rate and charging countries fees for exceeding these limits. Fees, would be paid to those who stay below their own CO2-limits.
“Contraction and convergence is an ingenious way to go about two problems facing this planet: ensuring the development of sustainable sources of energy and creating level playing fields between the countries of the world. While this concept might seem idealistic and not realizable at the moment, we will not shy away from it. A hundred years ago, a supranational organization like the UN seemed just as unrealistic, yet still it was founded - because of the pressure caused by humanity’s grave mistakes.
“In the coming years, humanity will once again edge closer to destroying this planet - this time by making its climate uninhabitable. Anyone who thinks that climate change is a realistic scenario should also consider the C&C proposal as a realistic solution. At our recent Board meeting in London, we agreed to advocate C&C and look for ways in which IPPNW can further the cause of this idea, especially leading up to the climate summit in Bali this December. ”
What are your hopes for the UN Climate Change meeting in Bali in December?
“Our concrete hope is for the world’s polluter countries, including Europe, the US, China, India and Russia, to sign up to an international binding agreement. We hope that the agreement will be made to reduce greenhouse gas emission and develop of mechanisms of C&C, which would create a unique system of pollution control, while at the same time addressing the issue of global equality and fairness amongst the peoples of the world. ”
Sarah Walpole
Fourth Year Medical student
Leeds Medical School
Worsley Building
Clarendon Way
Leeds
LS2 9NL
argotomunky@yahoo.co.uk