About me:
I have witnessed the rapid pace of climate change through my international work as a paediatrician, public health specialist, professor and researcher. Long-term and widespread droughts, heat records, water shortages in health care, storms and fires, as well as the intensity of extreme weather events are on the rise. Therefore, climate advocacy, education and research on the health impacts of climate change are part of my portfolio alongside medicine. I give talks, lectures, lead panel discussions, educate, publish and write books on climate change and (child’s) health to improve climate literacy. Climate facts are still either not known or not taken into account in decision making, even though the IPPC has issued a red flag warning for urgent international climate action to avoid catastrophic climate collapse.
My Climate dashboard:
I also try to continuously improve my ecological footprint myself by shopping locally, seasonally and without plastic packaging, eating a vegetarian-vegan diet, driving electric cars, avoiding journeys, travelling by train whenever possible, increasing continuously the biodiversity in our garden, keeping bees, using solar energy and sustainable energy through Greenpeace, buying cloths made locally or in Europe as to wear them as long as possible, reducing paper consumption and actively take part in climate friendly sport activities.
We do low impact tours such as walking safaris instead of driving and exploring with heavy vehicles.
There is always something more that you can do yourself. It is an ongoing journey with new avenues to explore. Track your success by using Apps such as Carbon Footprint, Earth Hero, One Climate.
My UN SDGs (Sustainable development goals) research focus:
SDG 3 (Health and Wellbeing), SDG 13 (Climate action), SDG 7 (Affordable and clean energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities), SDG 10 (Reduced inequalities), SGD 17 (Partnership for the Goals), SDG 4 (Quality Education)
My professional background, Biography:
Assoc. Professor University of Cape Town (Digital Health, School of IT), CEO MY Rwanda Heart and Research Centre (Kigali), Director of Education Geneva Sustainability Centre (Geneva), Medical Director DRV (Gaissach), Senior Medical Superintendent and Head of Innovation Hub Groote Schuur University Hospital (Cape Town), Medical Director Kantonspital Aarau, Head of Children`Hospital Bernward Hospital, Head of Department University Hospital Frankfurt, Postdoctoral Researcher INSERM Institute Paris (German National Research Grant), Medical Registrar University Hospital of Bonn, Master of Public Health (Health Systems) University of Cape Town
Medical Schools in Germany and Austria, 3rd State Exam University of Munich, Master of Public Health (Health Systems), University of Cape Town
Climate action means health protection 