Physiotherapy has needed an international association dedicated to the environment for some time, and not only because we now have social media that allows us to connect across the globe, but because life on our planet is imperilled.
The climate crisis now facing us is beyond doubt, and everyone – especially those with the kinds of social capital held by physiotherapists – has a responsibility to act.
Physiotherapy has always been a ‘low carbon’ profession, and the environment has always been a part of our work, but it has never been celebrated overtly before, or thought of as a place where our work can make a significant impact. We hope that is about to change.
Last month Filip Maric and I wrote an editorial for Physiotherapy Theory & Practice calling for a new, deliberately environmental physiotherapy and today we’re launching the Environmental Physiotherapy Association (EPA).
The first steps in shaping the Association will be bringing together physios with an interest in the environment. We’ll then and form an Executive and start planning our work for the next few months and years.
You can find out more about the Association and its draft aims and objectives at www.environmentalphysio.com (link).
Here you can sign up to become a member (free) and receive updates.
We will begin publishing a regular blog and building resources to help practitioners, lecturers, researchers and students connect their practice to the environment in new and exciting ways.
If you’d like to contact us directly about the EPA, email: info@environmentalphysio.com, or use the contact form at the bottom of the site homepage.
So get in touch if you’d to know more or to help out as we get the EPA up and running.
References
Maric, F. & Nicholls D. (2019). A call for a new environmental physiotherapy – An editorial. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. 35:10, 905-907. DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2019.1632006
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