Kelly Lau

Family medicine doc | Climate and human rights advocate| Treehugger and bookworm | Global citizen

[Doctors for Planetary Health — West Coast @WCDrs4PH]

As a final note: we have written this thread not to trivialize substance use disorder. On the contrary, this tweet author works on the frontlines and continues to see the devastation. #Intersectionality is important to understand - but that's a whole other thread! 13/

[Doctors for Planetary Health — West Coast @WCDrs4PH]

And this is how it is with the #ClimateCrisis. We have a huge problem, it is affecting the health and well-being of our planet, and there is a way to lessen the damage and perhaps, in many decades, reverse some of the harm caused. Please know we are not at the endgame. 12/.

[Doctors for Planetary Health — West Coast @WCDrs4PH]

This is is not the way. With compassion and love we can meet patients where they're at and gently motivate change and apply harm reduction (climate analogy: drive less if you can't quit yet). There will be slips/relapses (meat!), but this is a given and is not insurmountable. 11/

[Doctors for Planetary Health — West Coast @WCDrs4PH]

This climate nihilism is absolutely akin to doctors, drug and addiction counsellors, and important others throwing up their hands with their substance using loved ones and giving up on them because the damage is done. 10/ https://t.co/keQsk1AEQc via @toronto

[Doctors for Planetary Health — West Coast @WCDrs4PH]

In her op-ed she highlights the climate crisis and how we got there (i.e. she accepted the problem). But the resounding bottom line of the message is: we've screwed it up with out consumptive self-gratifying ways. There's no going back. Best to just accept it. Wait, what?! 9/

[Doctors for Planetary Health — West Coast @WCDrs4PH]

But don't get complacent. Because those who would keep someone in their addiction still lurk. We've seen how the climate denialists did their work. What's the new paradigm? @HeatherMallick's opinion piece in @TorontoStar provides a glimpse - climate nihilism 8/

[Doctors for Planetary Health — West Coast @WCDrs4PH]

As a community, we are moving to this action phase - it is evident in the increased coverage in the media and within the market place. Politicians are finally starting to act (e.g. Bill #C12 was passed by the Canadian Senate this week). 💚🌍🍃 7/

[Doctors for Planetary Health — West Coast @WCDrs4PH]

In addiction medicine the next step is the "action" stage. The problem has been accepted and, with the help of professionals and loved ones, the individual embarks on a journey to wellness. That recovery work is not easy & often means unlearning of problematic behaviour. 6/

[Doctors for Planetary Health — West Coast @WCDrs4PH]

e.g. CBC's @JWagstaffe's quote in this article, "I've covered a lot of weather events that have been connected to climate change....I think this one is the one that really made me consider my future and my two-year-old's future". 5/
https://t.co/anMIA23TuD

[Doctors for Planetary Health — West Coast @WCDrs4PH]

The US West Coast's wildfires and this year's June heat dome have pushed many into the "preparation" stage of change. Typically happens at "rock bottom" in addiction. i.e. those who have told themselves it can't get that bad, understand there's a problem.... 4/

[Doctors for Planetary Health — West Coast @WCDrs4PH]

Forest fires and extreme weather events over the last 2-3 years have moved many in to the "contemplation" stage. A recognition that there is a problem but a sense that the hurdles to overcome it are insurmountable. But they are not if there is good empathetic care 3/

[Doctors for Planetary Health — West Coast @WCDrs4PH]

For decades many have been in the climate denial stage. In addiction medicine this is like the "precontemplative" stage of change that we see patients with severe substance use disorder in. Destruction to the self and others continues unabated. 2/

[Doctors for Planetary Health — West Coast @WCDrs4PH]

⬇️Thread on climate crisis rhetoric told through an addiction medicine lens - because the human approach to consumption and destruction bears many hallmarks of this treatable illness. Inspired by an @TorontoStar op-ed (below) 1/

[Kelly Lau @KellyLau8]

.@IrvinesideRob We have no time to lose to avert the worst of the climate crisis. @SenateCA #PassBillC12 before you rise for the summer. #cdnpoli https://t.co/XDCvi0GSmU

[Leadnow @leadnowca]

Canada has missed every climate target it has ever set, and now, our first-ever climate accountability law is hanging by a thread.

We're counting on @SenateCA to sit until #BillC12 passes. Our kids' health and future are at stake.

https://t.co/3NGnu7DVDN

#cdnpoli #PassBillC12

[Kelly Lau @KellyLau8]

Bill C213 is your chance to deliver on a decades-long promise of universal, single-payer #pharmacare. Vote in favour of #BillC213 @PattyHajdu @darrenfisherns @ScarpaleggiaLSL #cdnpoli #voteforpharmacare https://t.co/6YFb9NkV60

[Leadnow @leadnowca]

After years of promising Universal #Pharmacare, the Liberals haven't delivered. #BillC213 is their chance to ensure everyone in Canada has access to medication.

Share our video to remind @JustinTrudeau & @liberal_party of their commitment and urge them to #VoteForPharmacare. 👇

[Doctors for Planetary Health — West Coast @WCDrs4PH]

6/ Dawn Hoogeveen and Dr. Warren Bell speak to this hypocrisy in this article. @CAPE_Doctors @Melissa_Lem @courtghoward @jvipondmd @JenStDen @AndreaWoo

https://t.co/X33pnKOg3Z

[Doctors for Planetary Health — West Coast @WCDrs4PH]

5/ What we have here is a demonstration of how harmful earth-destroying resource extraction is prioritized ver the health and well-being of our most vulnerable AS WELL AS the workers (and their families/communities) exposed to Covid whilst working at these sites. @CoastProtectors

[Doctors for Planetary Health — West Coast @WCDrs4PH]

4/ So why, then, do the oil and gas industry get a special pass? Why were Transmountain and Site-C workers allowed to continue until recently? And why is a plan being made to lift the current industrial project orders?
@CDCofBC @PHSAofBC @MySea2Sky

[Doctors for Planetary Health — West Coast @WCDrs4PH]

3/ So, vulnerable people, often with insecure housing, who see social connection as a lifeline were (and still are) being asked to be alone...during an opioid overdose crisis!! It's a tough sacrifice as many have mental health-trauma that makes being alone devastating.

[Doctors for Planetary Health — West Coast @WCDrs4PH]

2/ The issue has been taken so seriously that the BC Ministry of Health and Ministry of MH and Addictions asked @BCCSU to write medical guidance on facilitating PWUD isolating by providing a #safesupply of psychoactive substances. @CDCofBC @PHSAofBC