Why I became an Eco-Leader

by Dr. Bradley J. Dibble

I've been interested in the environment, global warming and climate change for many years. I believe that physicians have a unique perspective to offer the public in educating them on these important issues.

First of all, physicians often have a good grasp of various aspects of science including branches that aren’t directly related to medicine. Secondly, we are frequently good at explaining complex topics in ways that are easier to understand, so public education naturally becomes an important part of our responsibility. Don’t forget: the word “doctor” comes from the latin docere which means “to teach.”

And most importantly, the biggest societal impacts that result from a threatened environment, global warming and climate change are to the health of living beings on our planet. Physicians aren’t only interested in treating those with injury or disease; our true goal is to be proactive and help people maintain good health, preventing injury and disease from happening in the first place. That’s why so many physicians have been involved in projects such as mandatory helmets for cyclists and smoking bans in public places. Our duties extend beyond those who walk into our offices. I believe they extend to everyone on the planet, now and in the future.

Being an Eco-Leader with CAPE is a great way for me to connect to like-minded individuals who share this philosophy with me, and who can help teach me what more I can do in my efforts to make this planet a better place.

Why I became an Eco-Leader

by Dr. Ian Simpson

I was aware of environmental health issues early in my life, as my father’s family was a coal mining family. I knew about mine disasters, broken limbs, coal miners’ lung disease and TB. Throughout my years as a physician working in London (UK) and Newfoundland, I have encountered many more health issues related to the way we treat our environment.

My life story tells me that we must be on our alert; and recent studies and research tell me that some – perhaps many – of the 50- 60,000 chemicals introduced into our environment since WW2 are causing some of our most intractable illnesses.

Since the Ontario College of Family Physicians research paper reviewing the literature on the relationship between pesticides and human health, I have become active with a Coalition group in trying to get a ban on cosmetic pesticides in Newfoundland and Labrador.

I became an Eco-Leader after seeing how much help CAPE was for our coalition. Finally after several years of writing to newspapers, and to Ministers of Health, and Ministers of the Environment, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has banned the sale and use of five harmful cosmetic pesticides in municipal and residential areas.

CAPE brings the voice of the health community to the decision-making table and we've learned that when doctors speak-up, politicians listen. Physicians should be involved in educating firstly ourselves, then our patients and communities, and we should be prepared to be advocates for public health. This is why I support CAPE’s work and am proud to be an Eco-Leader.

Why I became an Eco-Leader

by Dr. John Howard

I WASN’T ALWAYS AN ENVIRONMENTALIST.

In 1995 I had an “ah-hah” moment when I realized that the world was going down the wrong path. As a physician and professor, I thought I could make a difference. Since then, I live always considering my environmental impact and always trying to incorporate awareness of the environment in my teaching.

I joined CAPE in 2003. I was impressed how CAPE had the values that were closest to mine – environmental integrity and honesty, and always recognizing that real health depends on a healthy environment.

As a long-time Board Member, campaigner and donor, I have witnessed CAPE champion pesticide bans across the country. I’m now confident that over the next five years, CAPE will lead the country to create a nation-wide ban of the cosmetic use of pesticides. This will free Canadians from the health risks linked to these chemicals including cancer, reproductive problems, and neurological diseases.

Supporting CAPE on the organizational front and as an Eco-Leader provides me with opportunities to practice preventive medicine that go beyond caring for the health of one patient at a time and take an active role in protecting our communities by protecting the overall health of our planet. That’s why it’s key for people to step up and become Eco-Leaders. This is why my wife, Dr. Nicole le Riche, and I have increased our support to the Eco-Leader Gold Level.

Why I became an Eco-Leader

by Dr. John Ascah MD, FRCP, MPH

Why do I donate to CAPE? There is more than ample evidence that our health is determined – to a large extent – by the environment we live in. This includes physical, chemical, and biological factors, and the social milieu we happen to be in. As a physician practicing clinical medicine, I deal mostly with ill health, but not the causes of ill health. Assisting CAPE is a way I can contribute to efforts to deal with major causes of disease rather than just their effects. In addition, physicians both have credibility in our society and a duty to be advocates for our patients and community on all issues of health and especially those issues with such profound and far reaching effects as those due to our environment.

Why I became an Eco-Leader

by Éric Notebaert, MD

DEUX DEGRÉS de plus, et 2 à 3 milliards de gens sur la planète risquent fort de manquer d’eau. Deux degrees Celsius de plus et la survie de millions de gens sera menacée car les glaciers des Andes et de l’Himalaya vont disparaître. Deux degrés Celsius de plus et la désertification menacera directement la survie de plus de 2 milliards de personnes dans les 40 pays les plus pauvres de la planète. Deux degrés Celsius de plus et des centaines de millions de personnes de plus souffriront de la malaria dans le monde…Cela est à mon sens la menace la plus sérieuse à la santé et à la vie humaine. Comme êtres humains et médecins, nous avons le devoir d’agir. Dans le futur, l’Humanité devra être plus solidaire, ou elle ne sera plus. Et ceci commence par des gestes au quotidien, petits ou grands, mais sans relâche. Car il y a urgence en la demeure, notre planète.

TWO DEGREES Celsius or more, and 2 to 3 million people on earth may not have enough water. Two degrees Celsius or more and the survival of millions of people will be threatened as the glaciers of the Andes and the Himalayas will disappear. Two degrees Celsius or more and the world’s desertification will threaten the survival of more than 2 billion people in the 40 poorest countries on earth. Two degrees Celsius or more and millions more will suffer from malaria…I think that this is the most serious threat to health and human life. As human beings and physicians, we have a moral duty to do something. We need more solidarity or Humanity as we understand it today will disappear. And I think we have to work on this every day, as there is a real urgency if we want to save our planet.

Why I became an Eco-Leader

By Cindy Tuer

Years ago when I first discovered CAPE and what they had accomplished with their big cred and small budget, I became a huge fan. It’s refreshing to see an organization which marries health and the environment in such a perfect way. They understand the connection between reducing toxins to improve our health and quality of life.

Over the years, I have watched CAPE champion pesticide bans across the country and with their assistance, I am sure that they will help our local health and environmental organizations achieve the same for our city of Calgary.

As a new grandmother, the issue of indiscriminate pesticide use in our city has acquired even greater urgency!

Why I became an Eco-Leader

By Alison Scott Butler QC

I am a long-time advocate for the elimination of cosmetic pesticides, as well as the drastic reduction of toxics from all aspects of human endeavour, and I have been elated at the progress made by CAPE. CAPE is a small organization with only part-time employees, but it has made tremendous strides by promoting pesticide bylaws in municipalities across Canada.
The new Ontario provincial law, together with regulations – effective April 22 – which eliminates cosmetic pesticide use is the culmination of a tremendous effort on CAPE’s part. The power of physician advocacy cannot be underestimated. Physicians who provide care for patients are hard pressed to undertake advocacy individually. But, collectively they can be very effective. They can raise public awareness and change laws to improve our environment and thereby improve our health. Financial resources are essential, and I have not come across any organization that uses its resources more effectively than CAPE.

Why I became an Eco-Leader

By Dr. Raquel Feroe FRCPC

I became an eco-leader because I like to be strategic with my charitable dollars. CAPE has credibility, capacity, and their very existence helps people to link environmental health to personal health. I could have become an Eco-Leader solely based on CAPE's award-winning work on pesticide policy but there is more that attracts me to CAPE. Supporting CAPE is a way for me to practice preventative medicine that has the potential to reach the masses and raise hope for our planet. CAPE's mandate is to promote environmental sustainability and ecosystem health. For those of you, like me, who see patients with chronic illness, the opportunity to be part of an organization that offers such a refreshing and proactive approach to healthcare is very appealing.

I would love to network with other CAPE physicians and particularly those in Edmonton where I live. I hope all doctors reading this article decide to join CAPE’s Eco-Leaders and I look forward to networking and sharing our environmental interests.

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