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According to a new study conducted by Healthcare Without Harm, if the global health care sector were a country, it would be the fifth-largest greenhouse gas emitter on the planet. Not only are doctors, nurses and health facilities all first responders to the impacts of climate change, but hospitals and health care systems paradoxically make a major contribution to the climate crisis.
When we asked Josh Karliner,one of the report’s authors, what he found most surprising about the findings he responded by outlining the immense potential that the healthcare sector has to limit global emissions:
“For health care to reach net zero emissions by 2050 or before, we will need to decarbonize the global supply chain, which constitutes 71% of the sector’s climate footprint. This means that pharmaceuticals, medical devices and equipment will need to be produced with 100% renewable energy, that transportation of these goods will need to be based on fossil fuel-free technology, and more. Many hospitals and health systems around the world are beginning to develop procurement strategies that can help accelerate this transition by focusing on carbon reduction.”
By Natasha Lasky, ODP Staff Writer This week, the medical journal Lancet published their annual report on health in relation to climate change, subtitling it: “code red for a healthy future.” The report delves beyond the obvious effects of wildfires, hurricanes, and extreme weather events — looking at food security; livelihoods; human physical and mental […]
By Ashira Morris, ODP Staff Writer The EPA announced Monday that it will move toward regulating perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — manmade “forever chemicals” — that don’t naturally break down and can contaminate both air and water. These chemicals, found in various household products, from dental floss to nonstick pans, can also be harmful […]
The editors of over 230 medical journals said in a statement on Monday that climate change is a health issue and that its effects could become “catastrophic” if world leaders don’t do more to address it. The health impacts of climate change include wildfire smoke–which has been linked to an increase in positive COVID-19 cases–and pollutants […]
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