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BMJ No 7119 Volume 315 Editorial Saturday 22 November 1997 Climate change: decision time in Kyoto Doctors must lead from the front in the fight against global warning Mankind faces a crucial test in Kyoto next month, and we look set to fail. The test will come at the third meeting of governments trying to commit to reducing their emissions of greenhouse gases to counter global warming. Virtually all scientists agree that global warming is happening, and most think that the consequences will be dire. Some small island states will disappear, food shortages in Africa will be worsened, and vector borne diseases will spread.(1,2) To counter the problem those in the rich world must reduce their energy consumption, and doctors can lead from the front - just as we did when we came to understand the evidence of the harmful effects of smoking. But this time it's harder. The rich, particularly the Americans, have hugely higher energy consumption than the poor, and the energy consumption of some of the poor will have to increase for them to move out of absolute poverty. If the rich cannot reduce their energy consumption appreciably then nothing will happen to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. It is hard for political leaders to agree to make the reductions because many vested interests oppose reductions, because we find it hard to make short term sacrifices for long term benefit, and because many people do not grasp the scale of the problem (some in Britain are attracted by "southern England becoming like Provence"). But doctors can understand. And we can change the world by speaking up and acting - together and individually - internationally, nationally, and locally and by changing our own lifestyles. Because that is what it means. We must use our cars less or not at all, insulate our houses, forego air conditioning, and make a hundred minor changes in our lives. None of this will be easy because we are addicted to energy, individually and as communities and nations. But if we can't find a way to change then our descendants will pay an awful price. Richard Smith Editor, BMJ References 1 McMichael A J, Haines A. Global climate change: the potential effects on health. BMJ 1997;315:805-9. 2 McMichael A J, Haines A. Climate change and health: implications for research, monitoring, and policy. BMJ 1997;315:870-4. Home | Current issue | Past issues | Classified ads | Career Focus | Feedback Collections | About this site | About the BMJ | BMA | Medline