Canadian Association of Radiologists Statement on Planetary Health Education in Radiology

The health of Canadians is already impacted by climate change due to wildfire smoke, heat domes, floods, droughts, and the changing distribution of vector borne disease. The healthcare sector contributes to climate change, accounting for approximately 4.6% of annual greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. Healthcare teams have a responsibility and opportunity to reduce harm by limiting emissions and waste, and engaging the public in understanding the planetary health links between clean air and water, a stable climate, a healthy planet and human health. Transformation of Canadian healthcare to a low carbon, climate resilient system will be enhanced by physician engagement and leadership. Cornerstones to physician participation include knowledge of the anthropogenic etiology of the climate crisis, the human health impacts, and the contribution providing healthcare makes to the climate crisis. Integration of climate change knowledge into the Canadian Radiology educational curricula is essential to position radiologists to lead transformative change in mitigation and adaptation of the healthcare system to the climate crisis. This statement is intended to provide guidelines to optimize education and research for current and future Canadian radiologists, and builds on existing planetary healthcare education publications and the Canadian Association of Radiologists Statement on Environmental Sustainability in Medical Imaging.