‘The World Health Organisation has identified climate change as the greatest threat to public health,’ begins Juliette Mattijsen (30). ‘Think heat stress, spread of infectious diseases and worsening of already existing health inequalities.’ She therefore finds it only logical that, as a medical student, she is also committed to fighting climate change.
‘Most students want to do something with sustainability, but don’t know where to start’
Juliette also wants to make other doctors aware of the relationship between environment and health, so she developed an educational game with fellow students, doctors and nurses. ‘Most students I talk to want to do something with sustainability, but don’t know where to start. This game can help them do that.’ The game, which will be compulsory for third-year medical students, has three parts: the impact of climate change on health and inequality, sustainability in healthcare and ways doctors can use their position to make a difference.
Juliette hopes the game encourages students to think about their social role. ‘Think about what you are good at and how you want to make a difference. Whether that is as an activist, researcher, educator or administrator. We need everyone and, above all, we want participants to realise that their voice matters.’
Find supporters
Juliette’s main advice to others who want to work for climate: find supporters, for example by joining a working group or committee. She herself is a board member of the Groene Zorg Alliantie, a Dutch foundation that supports the healthcare sector in the transition to sustainability and advocates for healthy and fair climate policies. ‘It helps to know that you are not alone.’
Although she can sometimes become despondent with all the gloomy news about the climate, Juliette says doing nothing is not an option. ‘Taking action and making your voice heard is the only option for me. We have everything to gain: a healthier world and nature.’
