Climate change has emerged as one of the most pressing global issues of the 21st century, with July 2024 becoming the hottest global month on record. Additionally, Hurricanes Helen and Milton were the two deadliest hurricanes in recent history. As affected populations grapple with the aftermath, much is being said about how to address the increasing unpredictability and intensity of weather-related events and their impact on human health and sustainability. Questions have arisen.
Healthcare facilities contribute approximately 8.5% to U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and rising global temperatures are causing more frequent and severe weather events, rising sea levels, melting polar ice sheets, and ecosystems. and destruction of biodiversity.
Climate change impacts physical health (e.g. heat-related illnesses, air quality, vector-borne diseases), mental health (e.g. stress, anxiety), access to healthy food and nutrition, access to care, and more. However, healthcare organizations are less advanced in their sustainability efforts than other industries, such as energy and transportation, which face significant regulatory pressures and short-term impacts.
