Dr Ingo Weber, the lead organiser of DEA’s campaign No Time For Games, explains why doctors joined the global climate strike on 20 September which saw more than 300,000 Australians and millions of people around the world take to the streets in support of young people and their call for action on climate. 

Climate change is the greatest threat to human health this century. 

 It has been declared a health emergency by major national and international health organisations, including the World Health Organization, the American Medical Association, the British Medical Association and most recently our own Australian Medical Association. 

 Climate change IS an emergency – it’s an existential threat to our society as it threatens the very foundation of what our bodies and minds require for health, such as clean air, water, a stable climate and access to shelter and healthcare. 

Children are most vulnerable to climate change impacts today and during their lifetime. 

The moral imperative to act decisively is clear. It is therefore little wonder that the voices of anger, fear and frustration are coming from the children themselves.

Health professionals are now part of the growing voice in support of children around the world demanding action on climate change today. 

Increasing numbers of health voices are now crossing the usual boundaries of professional formality and many health professionals are prepared to walk beyond the walls of their normal practice to form part of the visible and vocal support for our climate strike movement. 

 This is why this week, doctors and other health professionals will proudly join the anticipated thousands of school students in Australia and across the world who will miss classes to call for urgent action on climate change.  

Our message? There is No Time for Games; It’s Time to Act.

Ingo Weber is a full time anaesthetist working in a public hospital and a member of Doctors for the Environment Australia. He was the lead organiser of the national campaign, No Time for Games, which concluded this week.

Read the full article in Croakey which was published on Friday 20 September.