Emergency physician Dr. Joe Vipond sees the health impacts of the climate crisis first-hand. As a result, he has spent more than a decade advocating for policy changes to create a healthier planet.
In 2013, Dr. Vipond was part of a push to accelerate the phase-out of coal-fired electricity to improve general health outcomes and reduce climate emissions in Alberta. By 2015, the Alberta government announced the plants would be closed by 2030 — a victory for climate policy.
Dr. Vipond is past president of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) and co-founder and director of the Calgary Climate Hub, a non-profit organization that promotes meaningful local action.
In addition to his climate crisis advocacy work, during the COVID-19 pandemic Dr. Vipond worked where he was needed most. He co-founded the groups Masks4Canada, and Protect Our Province Alberta, and most recently the Canadian Covid Society, calling for policies based on scientific evidence.
Along with his work as an emergency doctor, Dr. Vipond is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Calgary and a scientific advisor for the World Health Network.
“Interest is now increasing exponentially in this field — but its foundations were laid over many years by leaders like Dr. Vipond. His message has been to make climate activism personal: The people you love are going to be affected by the health issues around climate change.” — Athana Mentzelopoulos, executive director of the Alberta Medical Association
Dr. Joe Vipond is receiving the CMA Award for Political Advocacy for his tireless work to address the health impacts of climate change.