Scottish Quakers and MSPs debate climate and health
'MSPs were encouraged to look at all decisions the Parliament makes through the lens of climate and health.'
Quakers in Scotland and Medact drew attention to the important links between climate and health at the Scottish Parliament this month.
Sarah Komashko, the parliamentary engagement officer for Quakers in Scotland, said that the event ‘gave MSPs the opportunity to consider that steps to mitigate the climate crisis will bring significant positive benefits not just for planetary health but for individual patient health. MSPs were encouraged to look at all decisions the Parliament makes through the lens of climate and health’.
Richard Raggett, a member of the Parliamentary Engagement Working Group, told the Friend that the event on 13 March stemmed from a talk in Scottish Parliament last April by Lesley Morrison, a Friend from Tweeddale. The retired GP asked in a ‘Time for Reflection’ session: ‘Are we being good ancestors?’
‘“Time for Reflection” opens parliamentary business each week at 2pm on a Tuesday,’ said Richard Raggett. ‘It is a four-minute slot where a person of any faith or none (sponsored by their constituency MSP) offers a short reflection to MSPs in the Chamber. Lesley’s MSP, Christine Grahame, then sponsored last week’s health/climate event as a follow-up. We were delighted to have Maree Todd, one of the Scottish Government’s health ministers, present for the whole event. We are now planning follow-up contact with MSPs to keep the interest going.’
Maree Todd spoke at the event about the importance that the Scottish Government places on reducing the health service’s emissions. Other speakers included Martin Pippard, a Friend from Dundee and a doctor, who spoke on the links between climate and respiratory disease. Pete Ritchie, executive director of Nourish Scotland, spoke about the impact of food and farming on health. Friends also heard from Bridget Bradley, from the University of St Andrews, who is researching eco-anxiety, and a young person called Isabelle, who described the impact of the climate crisis on youth mental health.
‘Guests also watched a film commissioned by The Lancet, looking at the carbon cost of healthcare and what some NHS Trusts are doing to ensure that carbon costs are considered when prescribing appropriate care,’ said Sarah Komashko.
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