www.carbonaddict.org

Carbon DependenceA public health challenge

Carbon Dependence

Definition*

“a cluster of physiological, behavioural, and cognitive phenomena in which the use of carbon-based fuels takes on a

much higher priority for a given individual than other behaviours that

once had greater value”.*In accordance with ICD-10

Carbon Dependence

Epidemiology

• Early case reports date back to the 19th century, with prevalence rising exponentially in the last 50 years

• Now reached epidemic proportions in the UK – affecting almost 100% of the population

• Fears of global pandemic

Aetiology

• No genetic influences identified

• Environmental factors important – e.g. out-of-town shopping

A carbon-dependent society?…

…What’s wrong with that?

Early Complications• Reduced exercise tolerance

– fossil fuel use is replacing physical activity in daily living

negative impacts on cardiovascular and psychological health

• Anxiety, stress

– physical activity has psycho-protective effects, so doing less of it has negative impacts on mental health

- dissatisfaction

• Respiratory symptoms

- asthma and allergies. More time spent in natural environments could reduce the risk of these complications.

Late Complications

• Obesity and diabetes– due to high fat diet and inactivity

• Cardiovascular disease – high salt and fat diet, and inactivity

• Colorectal cancer – correlates with high meat intake

• Falls – inactivity low muscle mass, falls due to SE of medication

• Fuel poverty – using more fuel costs money (human power is free)

• Social isolation – interaction via facebook? TV entertainment?

Climate toxicity

• Already responsible for many deaths worldwide: malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoeal disease (WHO)

• Severity not related to intensity of same individual’s carbon addiction

Treatment?

Medical Intervention

• Medical interventions for symptoms are carbon intensive* – risk of increasing carbon dependence

• Psychosocial techniques? Alternative therapies..?

*See NHS Carbon Emissions Modelling 2008

Prevention – better than cure?

Alternative prescriptions: Behaviour

• Active travel and BTCV green gyms

• Diet – gradual meat and processed food reduction; exposure to local markets

• Occupational therapy – e.g. growing schemes, tea-making (attention to non over-filling of kettle),

Public health: an environment for healthy living

• Natural / green spaces

– proven therapeutic value in depression, enhancing recovery after surgery, etc.

- Protective against urban heat island, & in flood management; Absorb CO2

• Built environment

– to promote active travel* & social cohesion

*NICE guidance available on creation of physical environments that support physical activity

Addressing root causes: climate change

“Housing improvement programmes benefit almost all carbon addicts, but particularly the elderly, living alone, those with cardiovascular or respiratory disease”

• HOME INSULATION

• ENERGY & MONEY SAVING

• Equipment on standby

• Inefficient devices

• Overfilling the kettle

Prognosis

• Recent advances have transformed outcome in what was previously universally disabling disease.

• With help of multidisciplinary team, addicts may even achieve full recovery.

Discussion

www.carbonaddict.org

For a comprehensive, evidence-based guide to medical management of carbon dependence:

www.CarbonAddict.org

Carbon Addict is an opensource project of The Climate Connection and The Campaign for Greener Healthcare.

The illustrations are by www.worldofinferiors.co.uk and are licensed under a

Creative Commons License.