Schoolchildren’s activism is a lesson for health professionals

Abstract

Like them, we must campaign relentlessly for carbon net zero by 2030

Climate change and adolescents in South Africa: The role of youth activism and the health sector in safeguarding adolescents’ health and education

“…[1] Initiatives like staging a school strike every Friday (#ClimateStrike), forming 'Extinction Rebellion' protests and blocking public sites like the London Tower Bridge have generated considerable momentum. [2] In several countries, adolescents are also employing litigation as a means of holding their governments and the private sector to account, a strategy that may have some merit in South Africa (SA) (see box 'Youthled litigation against the South African government and private sector: A turning point for securing the future health of children?'). [3] Not all adolescents are equally empowered to take up these challenges, however.…”

“…[1] In The Netherlands in 2018, for example, the Court of Appeal in the Hague recognised the rights of children to demand that the government reduce national emissions by a specified amount, and also that they have a 'duty of care ... [to future generations] … to prevent hazardous climate change' . [2] In the same year, in a case brought by 25 youth in Colombia, the Supreme Court ordered the Colombian government to take steps to reduce climate change and deforestation, and also ruled that the Colombian Amazon rainforest is 'a subject of rights' that is entitled to 'protection, conservation, maintenance and restoration' . And in 2014, 21 youths in the USA initiated a case alleging that the government's inaction on addressing climate change violated their constitutional rights to life, liberty and property.…”

All creatures great and small

“…Healthcare systems have started to cut waste and carbon pollution, with many systems moving to 100% renewable energy and achieving dramatic reductions in waste generation11 but most have only just begun the journey towards sustainability. Clinicians should use their voices as trusted citizens to spur broader public interest in decarbonisation and to lobby governments and institutions to take decisive action 1213…”

Wrapping The BMJ

“…We will continue to explore more sustainable options for printing and wrapping The BMJ as part of our commitment to reducing our impact on the environment. You can read our coverage of the health effects of the climate emergency, of the important contribution that hospitals and healthcare can make to reducing carbon emissions and environmental pollution, and our recent collection on divesting from fossil fuels 2345. Your comments and contributions on all of these issues, and on the new wrapper, are welcome.…”