HXR members respond robustly to two doctors’ critiques of medical activism

Posted by: Hils - Posted on:

HXR members have been shocked and disappointed that, in the face of the increasing climate and health emergency, two respected doctors continue to describe the emergency as ‘a belief’, question the role of non-violent medical activism and either offer no alternatives, or suggest we continue politely asking politicans to take action, an approach which has clearly failed to bring about effective change. Links to these, and our responses are below

  1. Criminal behaviour cannot be excused in the name of activism, published in the BMJ in November 2024

In response to this letter from Hud Shaker, breast surgeon, HXR members draw on current evidence to challenge his arguments, including his statements that the climate emergency is a ‘belief’ rather than firmly based on science, and that non-violent climate activism undermines public trust in doctors. Read our responses here:

  • Prof Hilary Neve, Dr Lynne Jones OBE, Dr Katharine Fallon, Dr Philippa Matthews, Dr Kyra Neubauer, Martin Fisher; Dr Alice Clack; Annie Mitchell; Dr Jethro Purkiss; Marion Neffgen; Dr Kirsten Shukla; Geraldine James; Dr Clare Nickells. Climate activism is: a necessity to protect public health,BMJ 2024;387:q2522
  • Dr Rob Marshall. Rapid Response: BMJ 2025;388:r88

2. The story of a GP imprisoned for climate activism, published in the BMJ in February 2025

This ‘Opinion’ article, by Dr Richard Smith, follows an interview he undertook with Dr Pat Hart, GP, recently imprisoned for a year for courageous, non-violent climate activism. Richard is Chair of the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change. Despite these roles, his article implies that the climate emergency is a ‘belief’, rather than based on overwhelming scientific evidence. Richard also questions the impact of civil disobedience, failing to acknowledge its significant successes in achieving social and political change. Faced with the ‘terrifying climate trajectory’, HXR members contend that UKHACC (and other respected health organisations) should use their voices to themselves undertake, or at least speak out in strong support of, climate activism – pointing out that their continuing approach to ask politicians politely to take action, has got us ‘precisely nowhere.’ Read our members’ responses to Richard’s opinion piece below:

  • Dr Alice Clack, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist & Prof Hilary Neve, GP & medical educator, on behalf of HXR: Rapid response
  • Dr Lynne Jones OBE, Consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist & aid worker: Rapid Response
  • Dr Juliette Brown, Consultant Psychiatrist: Rapid Response
  • Dr Rammina Yassaie, Doctor and ethicist Rapid response

Read Richard’s response to our critiques here: