About the CFMS
The CFMS is an organization representing over 8,000 medical students from 15 Canadian medical student societies from coast to coast. We represent medical students to the public, to the federal government, and to national and international medical organizations.FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The CFMS is pleased to announce that we have signed on to the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) Call to Action on Climate Change and Health. The current Call to Action can be viewed here.
The CFMS believes strongly that action to mitigate the health impacts of climate change is needed, and that government must be a part of that response. Climate change continues to pose a threat for the future of this planet and serious efforts must be made to limit the global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Climate change has significant impacts on health, health systems, and society, which we will be grappling with as future physicians.
The CFMS Health and Environment Adaptive Response Task Force (HEART) is a leading voice amongst Canadian medical students regarding advocacy on current issues in environmental health and climate change. Recognizing that climate change is inextricably linked to public health, HEART has been working since its creation to incorporate learning of the crucial links between climate and environmental changes and health in medical curricula, through the creation of a set of core competencies for integration in education nationwide https://www.cfms.org/what-we-do/global-health/heart-competencies.html.
On September 27th, CFMS will be participating in the Fridays for Future strike for climate change and health. Find an event near you at fridaysforfuture.ca and join other medical students at a local Fridays for Future rally or participate in social media with the hashtags #fridaysforfuture and #doctorsforfuture. The CFMS encourages students to take part in the Fridays for Future Climate Strike, and to continually work towards education and awareness of the health impacts of climate change, including solutions to adapt and mitigate impacts in medicine and in all spheres.
ABOUT THE CFMS: The Canadian Federation of Medical Students (CFMS) is the national organization representing over 8,000 Canadian medical students from 15 medical schools across Canada. We represent medical students to the public, to the federal government, and to national and international medical organizations. We are tomorrow’s physicians leading for health today.
ABOUT CAPE: The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) is the only organization of physicians in Canada that is dedicated to environmental issues. As a non-profit organization, our mission is to promote human health by protecting the environment.
ABOUT FridaysForFuture FridaysForFuture is a global youth-driven movement started by 15-year-old Greta Thunberg, who went on a school strike in front of the Swedish Parliament to protest the lack of climate action. Concerned for the future of her generation and lack of climate action by adults, her actions inspired youth around the world to join #FridaysForFuture student strikes. On September 27th adults, supporting organizations, and professionals will be joining the General Strike for Climate.
For further information or to request an interview, please contact: Adel Arezki, CFMS Vice President Communications, CFMS Email: [email protected]