Posted: March 6th, 2024
Environmental health advocacy
Environmental health advocacy is the practice of promoting and protecting public health from environmental threats, such as pollution, climate change, and infectious diseases. Environmental health advocates work to identify potential hazards, raise awareness, educate the public, and influence policies that affect environmental health.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), environmental health advocates implement a broad range of activities to:
– Advocate and raise awareness: Environmental health advocates use campaigns, publications, policy briefs, and media to inform the public and policymakers about the health impacts of environmental issues and the benefits of low-carbon solutions.
– Strengthen international partnerships and governance: Environmental health advocates collaborate with other stakeholders, such as civil society, academia, and the private sector, to coordinate actions and advocate for health in the international climate change agenda.
– Enhance scientific evidence: Environmental health advocates work with experts and institutions to improve the understanding and evidence base of the linkages between health and environment, the burden of disease attributable to environmental factors, and the economic and health gains from ambitious environmental actions.
– Support health systems to respond and prepare: Environmental health advocates help health systems to assess their vulnerability and resilience to environmental risks, develop adaptation and mitigation plans, and implement best practices and technologies to protect health.
Environmental health advocacy is a vital field that can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
Some examples of environmental health advocacy organizations are:
– Environmental Defense Fund: A leading environmental advocacy group that works on issues such as climate change, clean energy, air pollution, water quality, biodiversity, and environmental justice.
– Earthjustice: A nonprofit environmental law organization that represents clients in lawsuits to protect public health and the environment from harmful activities and policies.
– Health Care Without Harm: A global network of health care professionals, institutions, and organizations that work to reduce the environmental footprint of the health sector and promote environmental health.
– Interfaith Power & Light: A religious response to global warming that mobilizes faith communities to advocate for climate solutions and adopt clean energy practices.
References:
– Advocacy and Partnerships to protect human health from climate change. (n.d.). Retrieved March 6, 2024, from https://www.who.int/activities/awareness-raising-to-protect-human-health-from-climate-change
– Environmental Health Advocate | explorehealthcareers.org. (n.d.). Retrieved March 6, 2024, from https://explorehealthcareers.org/career/environmental-health/environmental-health-advocate/
– Environmental Health Advocate – Career Profiles. (n.d.). Retrieved March 6, 2024, from https://www.careerprofiles.info/environmental-health-advocate.html
– 51 Leading Environmental Advocacy and Public Health Organizations Recommend Robust Investments in Clean Energy Infrastructure for All | Environmental Defense Fund. (2021, February 22). Retrieved March 6, 2024, from https://www.edf.org/media/51-leading-environmental-advocacy-and-public-health-organizations-recommend-robust