CODE GREEN

The document frames climate change as the "biggest global health threat of the 21st century," noting that it has caused over 140,000 deaths per year since the 1970s. It asserts that meeting the 2°C global temperature limit requires consuming no more than one-third of proven fossil fuel reserves by 2050. The text advocates for a substantial carbon price, citing British Columbia's carbon tax as a successful model, and suggests that pricing should eventually reach $100-$200 per tonne of CO2 equivalent. It highlights health co-benefits of low-carbon transitions, such as reduced cardiovascular disease from 'cardio-commuting' and fewer respiratory impacts from wind, solar, and hydro power compared to coal. Finally, it urges physicians to use their professional influence to translate climate science for the public and advocate for systemic changes.

• Climate change is identified as a primary public health crisis, causing more than 140,000 deaths annually since the 1970s, with projected direct health costs between US$2 billion and US$4 billion per year by 2030.
• To limit the long-term rise in average global temperature to 2°C, the world must transition to a low-carbon path by 2020 and leave the majority of known fossil fuel reserves in the ground, consuming no more than one-third of proven reserves before 2050.
• The document advocates for a substantial carbon tax to change behavior, suggesting a target price of $100-$200 per tonne of CO2 equivalent, and points to British Columbia's carbon tax as a "textbook example" that reduced emissions while maintaining economic competitiveness.
• Transitioning to a low-carbon economy offers significant health co-benefits, including reduced cardiovascular disease and obesity through 'cardio-commuting' and lower respiratory and cardiovascular impacts by replacing coal-powered electricity with wind, solar, and hydro power.
• Research from Stanford indicates that the world's energy supplies can be converted to clean and sustainable sources within 20-40 years using existing technology at costs comparable to conventional energy, provided there is sufficient political and societal will.

APA

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (n.d.). CODE GREEN. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/1.CAPE_Code_Green_Factsheet.pdf

Chicago

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. CODE GREEN. n.d. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/1.CAPE_Code_Green_Factsheet.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment |title=CODE GREEN |url=https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/1.CAPE_Code_Green_Factsheet.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{canadianassociationofphysiciansfortheenvironmentndcode, author = {{Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}}, title = {{CODE GREEN}}, institution = {Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}, url = {https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/1.CAPE_Code_Green_Factsheet.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }