Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Bill
OraTaiao submission, 11 December 2019
"The significance of climate disruption for the mental health and well-being of those alive today and for future generations simply cannot be ignored. A focus on the climate crisis thus needs to be highlighted in legislation defining the Commission’s role."
Read full submission here.
Should health professionals participate in civil disobedience in response to the climate change health emergency?
Viewpoint by Dr Hayley Bennet, Dr Alexandra Macmillan, Dr Rhys Jones, and Dr Alison Blaiklock with Prof John Mcmillan. The Lancet, Vol 395, 25 January 2020. Read here (PDF).
Climate medicine: our changing climate and health inequity in New Zealand
Article by Cameron Toogood. New Zealand Medical Students Journal, Issue 29, November 2019. Read here.
Sustainable Healthcare and Climate Health Conference Aotearoa 2020
COVID-19: The Sustainable Healthcare and Climate Health Conference Aotearoa 2020 has been postponed and will now be held in mid-June 2021. There may be a series of webinars run later in 2020. For further information, sign up to the mailing list at wellington-events@otago.ac.nz with your contact details and SHCH in the subject line.
From research and innovation to policy and implementation
A multi-day event combining the Sustainable Healthcare Forum Aotearoa and the Climate Change and Health Research Conference
16–17 June 2020, Wellington, New Zealand
The Sustainable Healthcare and Climate Health Conference Aotearoa is a two-day conference in 2020, open to anyone interested in ensuring New Zealand moves ahead with urgency to a low emission and equitable healthcare sector. The programme includes presentations, discussions, and opportunities to connect on sustainable healthcare and climate change and health.
Read moreCollege of GPs signs joint call for action on climate change and health
MEDIA RELEASE, 28 November 2019
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practioners has made a formal commitment to confront the health effects of climate change and has signed the 'Health Professionals Joint Call for Action on Climate Change and Health'.
Stuff.co.nz: Wildfires, disease and food loss predicted for world's climate future - research
Article on findings from the 2019 report - Lancet Countdown on climate change and health with comments from Dr Alexandra Macmillan, OraTaiao Co-convenor. See here.
Farm to fork - Can changing your eating habits save the planet?
An article with quotes by Dr Alexandra Macmillan. Consumer magazine, 17 October 2019. Read here.
Healthy Food and Drink Guidance survey
OraTaiao submission to Ministry of Health, 8 November 2019
"Healthy eating, including increased intake of plant-based foods and less consumption of red meat and animal fat (particularly highly processed animal products), would both help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lead to significant improvements in health. This also aligns with the targets for New Zealand to have net zero carbon emissions and reduced methane emissions by 2050."
Read full submission here (PDF).
Health professionals celebrate passing of the Zero Carbon Act
MEDIA STATEMENT, 7 November 2019
Health professionals are celebrating the historic passing of the Zero Carbon Act. They applaud its purpose to prevent global warming of more than 1.5 degrees and the inclusion of methane targets.
“This Act is a crucial piece of legislation for health and wellbeing. It lays the foundations for realising the exciting opportunities that climate action can bring for health and fairness,” says Dr Rhys Jones, Co-convenor of OraTaiao: The NZ Climate and Health Council.
Read moreRadio Waatea: Rangatahi link arms over climate change
Interview here with Dr Rhys Jones on the school strikes for climate.