Use Your Voice
Health professionals are consistently among the most trusted occupations in the US. And the more that people understand the health effects of climate change, the more motivated they are to act. Your voice matters and we are here to elevate and amplify you.
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Make climate action part of your everyday routine using tools like ClimateRx.
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Start your advocacy and policy engagement where you are comfortable. You can grow and learn more through action and connecting with existing networks of advocates.
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Become an expert in climate advocacy.
Climate Action Everyday
Since health voices are so powerful to motivate and engage people in climate action, you should engage your colleagues with ClimateRx.
We offer bulk orders and can help you to prepare for the distribution.
Fill out the form here or email us at info@climaterx.org
In order to meet the challenges of climate change we will need the collective impact of millions of people’s actions. You can motivate this action, starting with ClimateRx and the conversation starters here.
Try putting these in your own words to help people see how their actions can make a difference.
As you engage more, share opportunities to protect health through climate action. And don’t forget to vote and encourage others to vote! There is a spectrum of advocacy; you can make a difference whether you’re talking to friends and neighbors or directly to policy-makers!
Advocacy for Health Professionals
Health professionals have a uniquely powerful role in engaging others and advocating for climate solutions. Advocacy can take many forms, start with where you're comfortable and continue to amplify your impact by bringing more people into the movement for climate solutions.
Start with people closest to you: your family, neighbors, community, and workplace.
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Talk about climate solutions and their health benefits. Use our tools and communication guide to help!
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Learn about existing projects, whether it is tree-planting or emergency preparation, and help to strengthen them.
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Share ClimateRx with health professional colleagues. Support sustainability projects ("green teams") and bring more people to work on climate action.
Educate and engage appointed and elected officials on the need for systemic climate action.
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Look for local opportunities to increase sustainability and resilience. As a health professional you can serve on commissions and help to lead immediate action.
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Ask your local officials to commit to climate action and report regularly to the community. This could be more charging stations, better bike/bus infrastructure, or reduced reliance on fossil fuel energy.
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Advocate for state and national solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and invest in restoration and resilience for communities at risk.
You don't have to be a policy expert to take action on climate change and health. The Climate for Health Moving Forward Guide helps to lay-out steps for meaningful systemic climate action. There are actions you can take right away that will make a difference.
Talking with policy-makers can seem intimidating, but remember five key steps to make your engagement as productive as possible:
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Start with people: center your message about your audience's concerns and values, as well as the values and concerns that you share with them.
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Make it real: focus on local realities and tangible issues. Tell a story about how you or someone you know has experienced climate change's impacts on health.
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Focus on solutions and personal benefits: climate solutions reduce people's exposure to poor air quality, save money, and create new good jobs. Climate action is not about sacrifice.
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Inspire and empower: Emphasize that we can make a difference. Most Americans are concerned about climate change but might feel helpless or overwhelmed. Ditch the doom & gloom.
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End with your ask: Encourage your audience to take act on climate with steps they can take that are meaningful, accessible, and relevant.
Read this two-page guide on engaging with policy-makers for more practical tips.
Connect with other advocates
There are powerful existing networks of climate advocates and organizations that can amplify and support your action. Upon completing the Climate for Health Ambassador training, you will be invited to join a network of over 1,000 other health professionals committed to action.
There are several organizations dedicated specifically to climate advocacy, with many state groups.
Find one that is a good fit for you:
Become an Expert
You can continue your education, not just on the health impacts of climate change, but also training and fellowships on the best practices for advocacy and policy engagement.