The problem
The climate crisis is driving a growing health emergency, with severe physical and mental health consequences.
Goals
To empower, educate and mobilise the healthcare sector to become agents of change on climate action.
Approach
Health for Future (H4F), founded in August 2019 by the German Climate Change and Health Alliance (KLUG e.V.), operates as a movement and action forum for health professionals advocating for climate justice. Independent from its parent organization, H4F adopted a multigenerational approach, with a strong emphasis on young health professionals leading the charge.
The movement engages healthcare actors and institutions through strikes, community actions, workshops, and campaigns. It positions health professionals as trusted societal change agents, using their expertise and influence to champion the social-ecological transformation necessary to combat the climate crisis. With approximately 60 local groups across Germany, H4F’s decentralized structure ensures that participants can independently plan and execute diverse projects.
Features
Health for Future frames the healthcare sector as both a victim of and a contributor to the climate crisis, emphasizing the sector’s unique responsibility to act. The initiative uses impactful campaigns and direct actions to engage the public and healthcare professionals alike. Strikes and community actions showcase the urgency of the climate crisis, while workshops and educational campaigns empower participants with the knowledge and tools needed to address systemic challenges.
The movement emphasizes a collaborative spirit, connecting local groups to foster a robust network that shares best practices and strategies. Partnering with KLUG e.V., H4F benefits from institutional support while maintaining its independence and grassroots ethos.
Lessons learned
By aligning the health sector with the climate justice movement, Health for Future has demonstrated the power of positioning trusted professionals as agents of change. It has also shown that empowering young health professionals leads to innovative and energetic approaches, ensuring a multigenerational movement for systemic change.
What you can do
Join as an individual or organization the Planetary Health Alliance.
Start an international Health for Future group in your region or if not applicable to you, share this with your network of healthcare professionals.