Join Us This April
outside Parliament
đ 21 - 24 APRIL 2023
Our Coalition
Join health professionals in asking our government to speed up the phase out of oil and gas, and to ensure clean air for all. Together we can help safeguard the health and wellbeing of all people alive today and for generations to come.
Learn
Hear talks and panel discussions from health professionals on a wide variety of planetary health topics. From how overmedicalising death deludes us into believing we are separate to nature, to how air pollution is a social justice issue, and how climate friendly diets can reduce the risk of pandemics,Â
Eat
We believe in celebrating delicious food that is good for our health and our life-supporting planet. We invite you to try a range of dishes prepared by a team of passionate health professional cooks. And whilst you nibble, play the food footprint game, and learn what foods we will eat more of in a warming world.
Move
Take a guided âgreen walkâ through Westminster as we explore the heat and flood risks to local residents, learn how urban planners can help to improve public health in ciites, and what London which ranked just 62nd in the worlds top cycle friendly cities can learn from those at the top, like Utrecht and Copenhagen.
Feel
Join a safe space to uncover your emotions on climate change, born out of the Active Hope work of Dr Chris Johnstone – a former NHS addictions specialist. If feelings of climate anxiety are becoming overwhelming, then you can also come and talk one on one to climate psychologists in the climate clinic
Lobby
Big health institutions, such as the Royal Colleges, have twice written to government in September 2021 and February 2022 calling for an end to new oil and gas licenses and to subsidies. They have also backed the Clean Air Bill. Join them in calling our government to safeguard our health and wellbeing.
Planetary Health Hub Programme at The Big One
All welcome at any time in our welcome and Information tent.
| Open-air Stage (or if stated Picket at Dept. Health + SW) | Activities Tent | External to health Hub (See times in brackets) |
All Age space | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday 21 April 2023 | ||||
| 7:30 am - 1:30pm | Set-up Following set-up you are welcome to use this space to sit down, chat, eat and relax |
Picket outside the Department of Health and Social Welfare to demand a Climate Public Health campaign | ||
| 2pm - 3pm | What the IPCC synthesis report did and didnât say: a welcome overview by Aaron Thierry | Climate Cafe with XR Psychologists - all welcome | Feeling the Heat - London Heat and Climate Change Walking Tour (2pm meet at the information tent - 90 Min) | |
| 4:30pm - 6pm | What does a sustainable health system look like: Climate Justice | Help sew a climate and health banner | The Big One Cross-site mass gathering (3pm until 4:30pm) | |
| Saturday 22 April 2023 | ||||
| Partner Event 09-13:00 "Not just a number: Tackling Toxic Culture for a Sustainable NHSâ - https://tinyurl.com/2bo8n4gs | ||||
| 9:00 - 9:30 | Morning stretch with Physiotherapy Declares | |||
| 9:30 - 11:00 | Talking about the 'C' Word | Help sew a climate and health banner | For Kids & Adults - come play one of specially designed games or make a card for your MP (10am start) | |
| 11:00 - 12:30 | What does a sustainable health system look like: Agriculture, green space and community | Support to film (and post) your own climate testimony | ||
| 1pm | Health Bloc at the Climate and Ecology march: Meet 12:50 Planetary Health Hub | Use this space to sit, chill, talk, eat and drink | ||
| 4:30pm | Coalition partners pitch | How can the public help the NHS become greener? | The Big One Cross-site mass gathering (3pm until 4:30pm) | For Kids & Adults - come and play! |
| Sunday 23 April 2023 | ||||
| 9:00 - 9:30 | Morning stretch with Physiotherapy Declares | |||
| 10:00 - 12:00 | Climate and Mental Health: Focus on child and youth mental health in the climate crisis | Use this space to sit, chill, talk, eat and drink | For Kids & Adults - come play one of specially designed games or make a card for your MP âŚContinues until 3pm | |
| 12:30 - 3pm | People's Assembly for Hub Partners and other health-care professionals - How might we work together in the next year? | -Youth Climate Cafe ( 1pm- 2:30pm) -Climate Cafe (starts 2:30pm) |
Feeling the Heat - London Heat and Climate Change Walking Tour (2:30pm meet at the information tent) (90 Min) | |
| 4:30 - 6pm | Climate & Ecological Crisis in Education and Training - What is, and needs to happen? | Workshop: Nonviolent activism: Learning from history to inspire future action | The Big One Cross-site mass gathering (3pm until 4:30pm) | |
| Monday 24 April 2023 | ||||
| 08:00 - 14:00 | Join 26 Planetary health coalition groups, XR Leicester and Global Justice now for a picket outside the Department of Health and Social Welfare to demand a Climate Public Health campaign | Use this space to sit, chill, talk, eat and drink | ||
| 14:00 - 16:00 | Picket at Parliament | |||
| 16:00 | Debrief and regen | |||
| 17:00 | Closing ceremony | |||
Frequently asked questions
What is this for?
We are asking the Department of Health and Social care to implement a public health campaign on climate change. We are also asking the government to speed up the phase out of oil and gas, ensure clean air for all, and implement mechanisms to increase long term thinking on the climate and biodiversity crises within parliament.
Is this organised by Extinction Rebellion?
The Planetary Health Hub is part of a wider coalition which includes many nature, conservation and climate groups, including Extinction Rebellion, all of whom will be around parliament from Friday April 21st to Monday April 24th. Extinction Rebellion did set the date, but since then they have become part of a much bigger event. For more information on XRâs involvement, go to their website here. Details of other supporting organisations will be shared soon.
Do I need to sign up?
You don’t need to, but if you are coming please fill in this form on XRâs website. It is important that we have a good sense of numbers so that we can liaise with the police, and keep everyone safe.
Which days should I come?
This is completely your call, different things will be happening on each day. Friday 21st is the opening of the space. Saturday 22nd is Earth Day, Sunday 23rd we will coexist with the London Marathon, providing an exciting opportunity to engage with huge numbers of spectators. Monday is our main opportunity to engage with Members of Parliament. Whatever your plans, sign up to show your support!
Can I come on my own?
Yes! Turn up to Abingdon Street Gardens and you will find hundreds of health professionals who will help orient you. Some will be from protest groups, others will be from more moderate groups working to green the NHS.
What will it be like?
There will be art, experiential learning, talks and panels by experts, workshops, activities for the kids. A full programme will be available towards the end of March
Will it be safe?
This event is being facilitated by police on the strict understanding that there will be no illegal activity, and no disruption of the public, short of that caused by a hundred thousand people coming together.
What should I bring?
Layered clothing, including waterproofs and comfortable shoes. Water and snacks. Sun block (if weâre lucky) an umbrella if not! Any medication and hygiene products you need. Something to read. No alcohol or drugs please. And beautiful, creative placards, flags, and banners.
Where can I stay?
If youâre thinking of coming for multiple days, thatâs great! There will be a range of accommodation options, but space cannot be guaranteed for everybody. Some of the health groups have London based members who will be giving up rooms to stay in. If youâre able to, liaise with them to find your own place to stay. Extinction Rebellion are also organising a âHuman Hotelâ. To access this, you would need to sign up and wait for more details.
Will it work?
We believe that a critical mass of people can create a moment thatâs impossible to ignore. We hope you believe that too. There is a threshold of numbers beyond which people power is unstoppable. Gathering peacefully in large numbers at the nationâs seat of power can create a positive, irreversible, societal tipping point.
What should I do next?
If you are a health professional and you arenât yet part of any of the organising groups, give one of them a message. If you arenât a health professional then sign up and put it in your diary. Then invite your friends and family. XR will send you more details about travel and accommodation as soon as they can. If youâre able to please support their crowd funder or Health for XR directly.
Can I help?
Yes! The most effective way to make this HUGE is to personally invite your friends and family. To make plans, arrange transport, agree to meet up. If you have time to offer, please contact one of the health organisations and offer to help.
Can I help to raise money?
Yes! We encourage people to do just one extra shift in their hospital or clinic as a locum, deduct the tax and send whatâs left to us so we can put on the best event we can. You can donate here.