“If every single person who is a health professional just did one thing, every single week… … it could be absolutely transformational...
…If you look at the history of social activism, of social change… …the brave acts, sometimes the small brave acts, of a large number of people have made the difference. And that’s our task, our responsibility, today in the 21st century”
Richard Horton, Editor of the Lancet
What can I do to protect the planet and public health?
- Join HXR
HXR focuses its work on protest and non-violent disruption at a societal level. Our actions are aimed at decision makers (e.g. government, political parties, policy makers, health profession regulators and trusts), organisations (such as fossil fuel companies and the banks, insurers and lawyers who finance or facilitate their actions) and the legal system.
If you are a health professional, please follow this link to join HXR. Our announcement chat and regular newsletters will keep you updated about current and future actions. If you join your local group chat you will also be kept informed of actions taking place near you, and opportunities to meet other HXR members. While many of our actions are in person, we will also share suggestions for “armchair activism”, such as petitions, emails and letter writing, for members who struggle to find time or travel to actions.
2. Donate to HXR
We also need donations to pay for things like protest materials, room hire and to support members who face court costs. We welcome one-off and regular donations. You can do so here.
Other actions
3. Meet, talk or write to your MP
Tell them what you want them do, to vote for change and champion projects that are good for the climate and health. United for People, Climate and Nature and Moral Fibres have some excellent resources to help you engage with politicians while you can use this link to ask your MP to endorse the Plant-Based Treaty. The Climate and Nature (CAN) Bill is currently back in Parliament, heading for its second reading and needs support from as many MPs as possible. To find out more about the bill, and help writing to your MP, visit the Zerohour website. You may also find MP Watch helpful – they empower local groups to engage with their MPs around stronger action on the climate crisis.
4. Influence your Hospital or Community Trust or GP practice
If you work in Primary Care you can join the Greener Practice network to learn how GP practices can take action on the climate. Or meet up with your Trust’s sustainability lead or team. Talk to Trusts and GP practices about ethical banking and investments (see below). And please sign the current Open Letter demanding plant-based menus in hospitals and this
5. Switch to a bank that does not invest in fossil fuels
Banks such as Barclays, HSBC, Nat West, Santander and Lloyds are huge investors of fossil fuels. One of the most important things you can do to reduce your carbon emissions is switch to an ethical, greener bank. Click here to see the huge difference you can make by doing this. Check out Positive Money, Switchitgreen, MotherTree. Don’t forget to tell your friends and family about this and write to your old bank to tell them why you are changing.
6. Encourage others to bank and invest ethically
Join the Bank Better Network to campaign for organisations to change to ethical banks and investments, or to stop advertising fossil fuels. HXR members are already involved in a number of campaigns including work with the RCGP, RCOG, ACP, BMJ, Lancet and RCPsych as well as collaborating on the recent National Trust action. As a result, some of these organisations have committed to reviews or action or have even, like the ACP and RCPsych, switched to ethical banks. If you would like to get involved in this group (this campaigning can mostly be done from home), complete this form to join the Bank Better Health group chat or ask to join when you join HXR.
7. Reduce your own carbon footprint.
Although the most important need is systemic change, there are lots of actions we can all take personally to reduce our carbon footprint. Take the Jump is a useful site suggesting six shifts you can take to protect our earth. The Climate Coach provides helpful information on energy, transport, food and waste and which steps are likely to have the biggest impact. This positive news story also contains a set of positive actions you can take.
8. Link up with a local climate group
Some of our HXR members, who do not live near each other, want regular social contact with people with similar concerns and so join a local climate-related group. Joining a group of like-minded people can be a powerful antidote to any feelings of despair and doom. To find a group near you, check out these links for XR, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth or Defend our Juries.
9. Spread awareness of the climate crisis amongst your family, friends, patients and colleagues. Useful ideas for doing this can be found here. Or look at this Changing Planet seminar which gives practical guidance for initiating conversations around climate change, based on the work of Katherine Hayhoe. This BMJ article offers useful ideas for discussing the climate with patients.
10. Look after yourself
Thinking and reading about the climate emergency can be difficult. Taking action on the climate, particularly with others, can reduce anxiety and stress. However sometimes people need additional support to promote their wellbeing. The Climate Psychology Alliance offers useful advice and resources. If you join HXR we will also let you know about the support we offer e.g. through climate cafés and our HXR book group. If you work in mental health or are interested in climate psychology and how to take action around this, check out our sister group https://xrpsychologists.co.uk/