Making history together – 2022
World Health Day
World Health Day is celebrated annually on the 7th of April, and it tackles a specific health topic of concern each year. On World Health Day 2022, global attention focuses on the actions needed to keep humans and the planet healthy.
WHO calculates more than 13 million deaths happen each year due to avoidable environmental causes. Effects of the climate crisis threatening humanity have been present for decades. However, it seems that just recently, they have started to be clearly visible in the headlines every day (wildfires, floodings, sea-level rise, intense droughts… and what is, unfortunately, a very long list).
Approximately since 1800, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. We all know by now that burning these fuels is generating the greenhouse gas emissions, which are the ones raising temperatures all over the world.
However, warmer temperatures are only the beginning of climate change! Earth is a system where climate, ecosystems, biodiversity, and human societies are interdependent. Therefore, something happening in an ecosystem can significantly have an impact on another biosphere. An easy example; lung cancer, heart diseases, and strokes can be traced back to air pollution. Thus, answering our prior question, climate change can affect our health in many ways.
We face huge challenges, but there are many global climate change frameworks and agreements to guide progress, such as the Sustainable Development Goals or the Paris Agreement.
How can we help to protect our planet and our health?
We asked ourselves, how can corporations like HEMEX help to protect our planet and our health? We are committed to contribute and do our little bit, step by step. WHO has some essential points that we have been applying and will try to continue improving:
- We switch off lights after working hours, and have installed wherever possible motion detectors so lights are also switched off automatically.
- We don’t heat our office over than 21.5C.
- We have tried to remove highly processed and packaged foods from the workplace, even though that’s sometimes VERY difficult in Switzerland.
- We try to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions, that’s why all HEMEX’s company cars are electrical.
- We envision One Health potential into the startup portfolio we work with, because we believe we can make a difference to animals, people, and the environment in a multisectoral approach. Interested?
Moreover, we did a little research, and of course, there are other little steps can be done individually. For example; walking or pedalling to work at least one day a week, or choosing public transport over a private car, when possible. Have you thought of changing to a renewable energy provider at home? Besides, it’s also a good idea to buy fresh groceries from local producers, and avoid highly processed foods and beverages. Moreover, don’t forget to buy less plastic and use recyclable grocery bags!
Every little action counts.
However, environmental guilt is real. Eco-anxiety is something we feel when it looks like we are heading towards an inevitable climate crisis and we feel powerless. That’s why we thought that there’s a need to rethink the individual aspect in this equation. Should the responsibility be equally distributed among all individuals?
Research shows that the emissions causing climate change come from every part of the world and affect everyone. Still, some countries (and some big companies) produce much more than others. The 100 least-emitting countries generate 3 percent of total emissions. The 10 countries with the most significant emissions contribute 68 percent!
It’s important that everyone takes climate action, but shouldn’t people and countries creating more of the problem have a greater responsibility to act?
As we always mention, it is vital to raise your voice and demand climate actions to protect your health. That’s why today we have shared HEMEX’s story. For our planet and for our health.
Sources: WHO, World Health Day 2022; United Nations, What Is Climate Change?; IPCC, Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability; WHO, Climate change and health; Climate Watch, Climate Data for Action
Background photo by Margot RICHARD on Unsplash
About HEMEX
HEMEX is committed to changing the future of healthcare by guiding the most promising European startups through each and every step to bring innovative pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and in vitro diagnostics to the market. Headquartered close to the thriving Basel global Life Sciences hub, the goal at HEMEX is to ensure startups have access to a wide range of tailored products, practical solutions, and fundraising support. This empowers the next generation of transformative discoveries to grow into successful and sustainable businesses, and drive change in both human and animal healthcare. For more information, visit https://hemex.ch/