Practising Medicine in a Finite World

Climate change is increasingly recognised as a major determinant of human health. At the same time, healthcare systems themselves contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions through energy use, procurement and supply chains. This creates a complex position for clinicians and healthcare organisations, as they must respond to the health consequences of climate change while also addressing their own environmental impact. ACEM has described climate change as a medical emergency. EDs must measure their climate effects, raise awareness and make meaningful changes; however, progress so far has been limited and highly variable between departments. This Trainee Focus issue explores ethical, professional and practical perspectives on sustainability in EM, inviting reflection on the role clinicians may play in addressing the environmental determinants of health while maintaining their primary responsibility to individual patients.