Glasgow's fight against climate change

Abstract

Prof. Malcolm Shepherd’s introduction in
our December 23’ issue highlighted that
climate change is an extremely important
topic which merits further coverage in
Surgo. With the guidance and knowledge of
Dr. Camille Huser (recently appointed
Deputy Director of the Undergraduate
Medical School (Bioscience)), I was able to
explore this topic and understand our role as
a medical school in the fight against climate
change.
Climate change will continue to become an
enormous burden on healthcare. However,
healthcare plays an alarming role in
accelerating climate change. Today’s warmer
climates have seen an increase in global
droughts, floods and heatwaves. They allow
water and food borne diseases to thrive and
vectors carrying fatal illnesses such as
malaria, dengue fever and zika virus to
survive at higher altitudes and for longer
periods of time. In fact, eggs of the non
native aedes albopictus mosquito (known to
transmit both dengue fever and zika virus!)
have been found in the UK within recent
years. However, it isn’t just so-called
“tropical diseases” we need to consider.
Warmer summers are altering our air
quality, causing prolonged periods of high
pollen that can amplify the number of
asthma exacerbation and allergic reaction
cases that we see coming through our
hospital doors each year.
Est. 1935
Climate change is deadly. I was alarmed to
read that the UK government predicts that
by 2070 there will be a 1244% rise in
heatwave related deaths; unfortunately and
unjustly affecting economically and socially
marginalised individuals the most. (1, 2)
You may be thinking we will have our work
cut out as future clinicians, taking on the
burden of climate change. However, we also
face the large task of trying to limit our
contribution to global warming as clinicians.
The faculty of Public Health estimates that
internationally, healthcare accounts for 4.4%
of global net emissions (that is more than
aviation!). Although, it is not all doom and
gloom as our requirement to do better has
been identified and NHS Scotland aims to
have a net 0 carbon footprint by 2040.
Already, there have been improvements
from NHS GGC: reduced desflurane usage in
anesthetics, opting for powdered/soft mist

inhalers and minimizing SABA usage,
encouraging staff to use sustainable
transport methods to travel to work and
purchasing products and services from
suppliers aligned with the net 0
commitments. (3, 4)
But what are we doing as a medical school? I
met with Camille to find out more. In line
with the sustainability requirements of GMC
good medical practice (January 2024), the
Medical Schools Council (MSC) have
highlighted the need to incorporate
sustainability into the MBChB curriculum.
Glasgow University were key in coordinating
an MSC network of 38+ UK medical schools,
aiming to facilitate sharing of expertise and
resources. Dr. Noy Basu (lead of the vertical
theme: Global and planetary health) has
been key to delivering these changes in
Glasgow after a survey of our medical
students revealed that >90% wanted
sustainable healthcare to feature in the
curriculum. Now, sustainability in healthcare
appears in assessment, lectures and SSC
opportunities, particularly in years 1 and 2.
Camille acknowledged that a key driving
force behind improvement is students. Every
year, students have grouped together to
complete the planetary health report card
(PHRC): a tool for evaluating and improving
planetary health content in health
professional schools. Furthermore, we have
a global goals student group who collaborate
and focus on ways in which we can alter our
behavior to achieve the United Nations
sustainable development goals by 2030
(which largely consider the environment and
climate change). Glasgow University is also
part of Universitas 21 (U21): a global network
of universities that aims to connect students
and staff. They have a subgroup (the
sustainable development group) with a
shared commitment to fighting climate
change.
I asked Camille about ways in which we could
still do more. She believes progress can be
made through engaging and educating staff;
as it is every lecturers’ job when teaching
students to incorporate sustainable
healthcare into the curriculum.
Furthermore, continued partnership with
students is essential in cultivating new ideas
surrounding this topic. If you have ideas as
to how we can combat climate change as a
medical school or, if would like to get
involved with some of the student groups
mentioned above, please contact Camille
(
Camille.Huser@glasgow.ac.uk).
It is our job as clinicians of tomorrow to
practice sustainably. Lots of progress has
been made to reach NHS targets but there is
still so much to be done. - Anna, Editor in
Chief.
Further reading:
Breaking the Fever
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