Planetary Health & Sustainable Occupations
Climate change is a global issue that is significantly affecting the health, wellbeing, and livelihood of many people around the world, and will ultimately impact every person living on this planet. Daily human occupations are recognized as being a major contributor to climate change. Occupational therapists (OTs) are well-positioned to support individuals as they engage in more sustainable occupations, and communities in creating policies and environments that will facilitate engagement in sustainable occupations.
Human activity (e.g., the way our food is produced) has increased worldwide risks of natural disasters, including droughts, and has impacted the livelihood of communities around the world. These changes have prevented many communities from engaging in subsistence occupations, such as agriculture, resulting in occupational injustice and global migration.
Occupational therapists’ expertise can support the objectives outlined in Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy, including supporting Canadians in making anticipatory changes to their daily lives before they are impacted by climate change and help them be ready to respond to extreme climate-related events.
Given the changes happening on a global and local scale, it is imperative to turn our attention to developing/increasing our knowledge and resources in this area. CAOT is committed to exploring how occupational therapy professionals can be a part of the environmental solution for our present and future generations. CAOT’s new Strategic Plan 2023-2026 places a particular focus on sustainability.
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CAOT is moving towards:
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October 2022: Offered a Practice Evidence Webinar “Sustainable Value of Occupational Therapy,” by occupational therapist Janet Craik.
February 6, 2023: Dr. Justine Jecker and Philip Wendt met with Health Canada representatives making up the Planetary Health Coalition to begin to strategize ways to build towards a climate change resistant and low carbon, sustainable health system.
February 7, 2023: CAOT’s Professional Practice team engaged in a University of British Columbia interview examining the role of OTs in climate change and opportunities to respond
April 22, 2023: Supported the Global Disrupt OT event on Earth Day to combat climate change
April 2023: Created a climate change and planetary health area of practice in the Practice Resource Hub to provide resources to clinicians
May 2023: Hosted a virtual and in-person Conversations that Matter session at the CAOT Conference 2023 in Saskatoon. Entitled “Occupational therapy in the context of climate change and ecological and human health,” the discussion was led by Giovanna Boniface and Jeff Boniface.
May 2024: An extended session will be happening at the 2024 CAOT conference in Kjipuktuk/Halifax: Climate Change- The Role of Occupational Therapists and Health Professionals presented by Giovanna Boniface and Janet Craik.
Supported the development of leadership opportunities that specifically address environmental leadership
2) Send free practice resources to practice@caot.ca to help build the knowledge base around the role of occupational therapy in addressing climate change and supporting planetary health.
3) Engage in formal and informal conversations with occupational therapy professionals, other health care professionals, clients and families to advance knowledge and awareness on this topic.
4) Assist CAOT in developing a Position Statement on Climate Change and Planetary Health.
Tune in to our three-part podcast series where we explore the links of climate change, planetary health, and human health with OTs, health care professionals and community activists.
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Episode 22: Planetary health: What role do we play? Host Justine Jecker discusses planetary health and sustainable action in the face of climate change with occupational therapist Giovanna Boniface and family physician Myles Sergeant. They emphasize the importance of clinicians understanding and engaging in sustainable practices. With a focus on expanding knowledge, time, and resources towards sustainable action, the conversation explores how occupational therapy can contribute to a bottom-up approach in addressing climate change. LISTEN NOW |
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Episode 24: How to practice occupational therapy sustainably? For Episode 24 of OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast, host Justine Jecker delves into the topic of sustainable occupational therapy practice with guest occupational therapists Janet Craik and Ben Mortenson. This episode builds upon the insightful discussions from Episode 22, which considered the role of occupational therapy in the context of planetary health and climate change. The conversation explores "sustainable health equity" and how the well-being of our society is intricately intertwined with the health of our planet. Tune in today to discover actionable steps to foster a healthier future for both your community and the environment. LISTEN NOW |
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Episode 26: Let food be thy occupation..... For episode 26 of OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast, host Justine Jecker explores the significance of what we eat, how we eat, whom we eat with, and where our food comes from with occupational therapist Ryan Osal and local food activist Justin Cantafio . Together they discuss the role of food as medicine and the diverse occupations involved, from seed to table, in settings like farmers' markets and healthcare clinics. Tune in for a conversation on the intersections of sustainable food systems and occupational participation. Resources:
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 OT Climate Action Network (OT-CAN) |
Resources & OT Now Articles
CAOT has supported the development of the CASCADES toolkit. This resource provides background information, resources, and considerations to guide more sustainable and climate-resilient occupational therapy. It also highlights the contributions that occupational therapy can make in transitioning current healthcare systems towards high-quality, low-carbon, sustainable and climate-resilient care.
Visit the Practice Resource Hub for a growing number of resources, including with several OT Now article, to support you personally and professionally as you explore the role of occupational therapy in the context of climate change and planetary health.
For information on ways to make your practice more sustainable, see the Canadian Coalition for Green Healthcare's Green Office Toolkit for Clinicians and Office Managers (2023).
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DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS RELATED TO ADVOCACY? Reach out to us at advocacy@caot.ca DO YOU HAVE ANY PRACTICE RELATED QUESTIONS? Reach out to us at practice@caot.ca |