10 things a doctor can do to combat climate change

I graduated from King's College London in 2014 and gradually worked my way up the East Coast Main Line to Edinburgh, via Newcastle and Middlesbrough for my foundation and then core training.

Geriatricians are taught to consider the unintended consequences of medical interventions and to practice holistically. Seeing the impact of medical practice on the environment we and our patients live and breathe, and the consequences of this for ageing and health, it seems natural that we should be mindful of our contribution to climate change if we are to truly practice holistic medicine and ‘do no harm’.

I cycle everywhere and do the ‘right things’ at home but I was frustrated by the inability to recycle and consume responsibly at work. I began to grumble on ward rounds to anyone that would listen and this led to being invited to do something about it!. Since then I have been involved in work in ward, clinic and college environments and have been invited to speak internationally.

I live with my partner and our two cats in Edinburgh and we spend our spare time walking or biking in the hills, or swimming in the sea.