CLIMATE CHANGE POSES AN EXISTENTIAL CHALLENGE TO THE HEALTH OF THE PLANET AND ITS HUMAN POPULATION. THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY WILL HAVE TO MANAGE THE MEDICAL CONSEQUENCES WHILE DRAMATICALLY DECARBONIZING TO HEAD OFF A HOT AND DANGEROUS FUTURE.
How Hospitals Integrate Climate-smart Solutions
LEADERSHIP • MITIGATION • RESILIENCE
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HEALTHIER FOOD
- Increase plant-based foods
- Source locally/sustainably/regenerative ag
- Rooftop farms for harvest & teaching
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LEADERSHIP
- Invest, divest, lobby, educate
- Reduce GHG, carbon price
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SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT
- Supply Chain Circularity
- Collect, Reprocess, Retrofit
- Energy, Chemicals, Food, Waste, Water
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COMMUNITY RESILIENCE
- Largest employer in the US
- Food insecurity
- Inequitable societal impact of climate/extreme weather
- Stormwater management, clean energy, local food production, tree planting, active transportation
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CLEAN ENERGY
- Save $$$ on operations
- Lower healthcare costs
- Remain operational
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INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE
- Building preparedness
- Remaining operational
- Energy independence
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OPERATING ROOM
- Variable air changes/hour, medical waste, anesthesia, surgical kits
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LESS WASTE
- 30 pounds waste/patient/day
- Reduce methane, toxins & illness via recycling, composting, food donation, paper reduction, blue wrap recycling, modified room service food model
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TRANSPORTATION
- Reduce air pollution
- Workforce, patients, visitors, goods, services
- Subsidize public transport & electric cars, carpool, bike & pedestrian improvements, charge for parking