Activism -
Why people do what they do and what can you do!
This page is for information only, Our Health, Our Planet does not endorse any law-breaking action.
Do I Need to Get Arrested to Be an Activist?
No, definitely not! This will no doubt be the first question on your mind, particularly with organisations such as Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion often in the media. There are many ways you can be an “activist” and “advocate” on climate and nature issues without using the tactics these organisations use.
Any activity that encourages others to change their behaviours or change systems to become more environmentally friendly are environmental activist actions.
The most important (and most simple) type of activism is to talk about the climate/health crisis. This is vital to help gather momentum for wider change and awareness.
Why Do People Choose to Cause Disruption and Get Arrested?
Throughout UK history, disruptive protests have been used to raise awareness about an issue or bring about social change, particularly with equal rights movements. Often this happens when people feel they have exhausted all other options and feel they have no other option to ensure they are heard. Many climate protestors, including climate scientists, doctors, physiotherapists and nurses, feel non-violent direct action is the only way to bring the gravity of the climate crisis into the media.
Depending on the actions individuals and organisations take, they can cause a lot of disruption, anger and upset amongst the general public.
Since 2019, protests (beginning with the school strikes for the climate) have played an important role in bringing the climate crisis more into the public domain.
Restore Nature Now!
A family-friendly, non-disruptive protest organised by RSPB, the National Trust and the Wildlife Trusts
What Can I Do? - For Everyone
Sharing information is the key to any activism and advocacy. To begin with, just talk to your friends and family about climate/health issues. Use Our Health, Our Planet as a starting point for discussions that might lead you onto wider topics.
Get in touch with your local Wildlife Trust, the RSPB or the Marine Conservation Society. They organise hundreds of local activities every year, from litter-picking, to education to scientific research that you can help out with (e.g. the Great British Birdwatch)!
If you want to take a more organisational role in climate change advocacy, see what changes you can introduce into your workplace and community to become more environmentally friendly. Invite local conservationists to talk about their work in your community and collectively write to your local MP and councillors to encourage them to take steps to support environmental initiatives. The organisation "Zero Hour" is a great example of building collecting action to make a big change (link below).
Most importantly, talk about the climate/health crisis. This is the most simple type of activism and is vital to help gather momentum for wider change and awareness.
What Can I Do? - For Healthcare Professionals
For healthcare professionals, other activist activities might include doing a simple sustainable quality improvement project or delivering an educational teaching session on a particular aspect of the climate change and health relationship.
To be more vocal, you might write an “open letter” to the managers and executives of your workplace and collect signatures from colleagues, raising your concerns about a lack of decarbonisation and environmental restoration activity and offering solutions to these issues. You could also join or start a departmental or hospital “Green group”.
Most importantly, talk about the climate/health crisis. This is the most simple type of activism and is vital to help gather momentum for wider change and awareness
The UK Health Alliance on Climate Change is a coalition of health organisations campaigning for stronger action on climate change. Find out more below: