# How the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Can Play a Leadership Role in Climate Action: Results from the 2022 ASTMH Green Task Force Survey

## TL;DR

A survey shows ASTMH members are concerned about climate change's impact on global health and support the society leading climate action efforts.

## Contribution

The paper presents survey findings that demonstrate ASTMH members' support for the society to lead in climate-related initiatives.

## Key findings

- Most participants expressed moderate to extreme concern about climate change.
- Participants agreed ASTMH should lead in interdisciplinary research and training.
- There was strong support for developing decarbonization guidelines for labs.

## Abstract

The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) established its Green Task Force (GTF) in 2019 and adopted its Green Statement in 2021 in consultation with the GTF to encourage collective efforts for mitigating climate change as a professional society. The GTF highlighted how climate action aligns with the society’s mission to improve global health in a perspective piece published in 2022. The GTF conducted a survey in 2022 to assess the concerns of the ASTMH community surrounding climate change and the potential role of the society in addressing them. The majority of survey participants reported moderate to extreme concern about climate change as well as a negative impact of climate change on their global health work. Survey results demonstrated strong agreement for ASTMH to lead through interdisciplinary research, capacity building through training and education, development of decarbonization guidelines (particularly for laboratories), and advocacy for wider climate action.