Some of the natural roles of health care providers:
Informed citizens who take personal action to protect and conserve water and trees, reduce waste, recycle, and prevent and clean up litter in the shared living space we call the environment.
Respected and trusted messengers. Community groups depend upon health care providers for accurate information and as spokespersons on environmental issues.
Data gatherer and analyzer to identify potential health effects.
Spokesperson for community concerns.
Citizen-advocates in communities to affect public policy, laws and regulations that protect our life-supporting environment.
Community organizers and mobilizers for action to address environmental threats, and thus threats to health.
Watch-dog for health implications of public policy decisions with an environmental component - transportation, zoning, industrial permitting, and school placement.