Summer/Fall 2013: The Lantern

The Lantern Summer/Fall 2013

 
The Lantern
Summer/Fall 2013
The Lantern wo title

Climate Reality Leadership Corps Training in Chicago 


Rose Schneider, RN, MPH, was the first Nurses Work Group member to inquire about the Climate Reality Project's Chicago Leadership Training Corps program when it was announced earlier in the summer of 2013. This training is one in a series that draws participants from all professions 
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Rose Schneider, RN, MPH
from every corner of the world.  The Climate Reality Leadership Corps trainings are designed to empower "Climate Leaders" who will commit to undertaking a minimum of ten activities within one year of the training to expand action on addressing climate change.  These activities include: presenting the Climate Reality slides and other materials to other persons, presenting the materials to businesses, to community and government leaders, and to media, as well as participating in any other Climate Reality sponsored events and activities.  Two Climate Reality Leadership trainings have been given this year, one in Istanbul in May and in Chicago in early August, which Rose attended. She asked that the information and resources gleaned be shared with other nurses as much as possible.

 

The role of "Climate Leader" is not new to Rose. As Chair of the Climate Change Working Group of the International Health Section of the American Public Health Association, she led the development of the first climate change needs assessment survey, to gather data from over 1,600 members. The information helped define gaps in preparedness training, needs for communication linkages, and gaps in training and resource needs amongst providers, nurses, and other public health professionals. As a member of InterAction's Climate, Environment and Development Working Group Rose worked to strengthen the development and evaluation of international climate change adaptation and mitigation programs for developing countries.   As a member of Sustainable DC, she contributed to evaluation frameworks and success indicators, presented to Mayor Vincent Gray, to help address climate change mitigation in Washington, DC where she lives.Rose leads the Solar Panel Task Force for Sacred Heart Church to identify and interview installers for best technical and financing options, and to link the solar panel installation to a parish-wide educational program on greening/sustainability for 2000 + parishioner households.  

 

Despite years of involvement in climate change work, Rose was overwhelmingly impressed with Climate Reality's Leadership Corps training. Al Gore, the Chairman of the Climate Reality Project presented a significant amount of current scientific information on climate change from across the globe and its effects on agriculture, water supplies, human migration, glaciers, and other phenomena.  Maggie Fox, the CEO of the Climate Reality Project, presented how participant could engage friends, community and government leaders, the media and others by storytelling, sharing the CR material, blogging, writing editorials, etc. to make addressing climate change be seen as "exciting opportunities for action". Rose found the delivery  "very articulate, upbeat, and engaging" while sharing enormous amounts of information. Al Gore covered over 350 slides that she called "just phenomenal" and stated   "I have never been in a conference where people stay in the room for that many hours on end and did not leave! The entire conference was just really well done: the schedule was organized and flowed naturally, the presentations were engaging and entertaining. There were world class scientists, strategists, communicators and organizers providing us information and examples of tried and proven organizing techniques, combined with new approaches to storytelling, public speaking, social media networking and media engagement. 

 

Over 1250 people attended the Chicago Climate Reality Leadership training: the program has trained Climate Leaders in over 100 countries worldwide to date. Participants in Chicago represented professionals and community leaders from all walks of life: veterans, musicians, artists, journalists, nurses, public health leaders and medical providers, government employees, environmental engineers, architects, and farmers, etc., yet Rose mentioned individuals' professions were never really the focus of conversation as much as their role in being Climate Leaders whatever their occupation. Several unique resources were shared during the training including the Reality Drop database, an online forum for people to "de-bunk" climate myth from reality with scientists online. Check out Reality Drop here: https://realitydrop.org/

 

As discussed above, the goal for participants in the Climate Leadership Training Corps is to each commit to ten acts of leadership within the year, whether it be in their professional organizations, via policy engagement, or in their communities.

As you read about this training, perhaps you recognize that we weren't all fortunate enough to participate in this training, but that shouldn't stop us from creating our own leadership challenges.  Here are some tips to get started:

 

1) Ask yourself "what you love" that will be negatively affected in a warming planet. Is it sitting on the porch in the evening reading the paper that could get to too hot and humid top enjoy?  Is it certain kinds of birds' song because they may no longer migrate to your town? Is it the long lasting garden that may burn up earlier in the summer heat?   

  
2) Ask yourself about the changes you could make where you work to have impact as a nurse:

  • Is it in the operating rooms that produce 30% of hospital waste? Can you get your OR engaged by reorganizing OR surgical packs to reduce wraps, decrease the number of instruments used, and/or reuse and recycle more of the OR supplies? 
  • Can you help organize a meatless day per week in the cafeteria? Request resetting computers and printers to "sleep" when not in use, reducing power used? Print only when needed, and double sided if possible?  
  • Analyze and revise purchasing for your unit to reduce products and waste? 

3) Can you make changes in your personal life to reduce your carbon footprint? Walking to do errands? Purchasing sustainable cleaning products? Paying bills electronically to reduce paper?

 

When the Health Care Without Harm Nurses Work Group and Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments partnered with Climate Reality in May of 2013 to co-host a webinar with nurses on climate change and health, over 2,000 people registered. Momentum is no longer the issue, and nurses are undoubtedly critical messengers! Climate change is stated by the eminent British medical journal, The Lancet, as the biggest challenge to health in the 21st century.  Engaging our hospitals and communities to reduce their carbon footprint is a challenge we can address as nurses. Luckily we are surrounded by a wealth of free resources and supportive visionary leaders like Gary Cohen, resources in the likes of Practice Greenhealth to guide our path, and brave nurse leaders like Rose Schneider ready and willing to pave the way.

 

For more information, please visit climaterealityproject.org. Our joint webinar The Costs of Inaction: The Health Impacts of Climate Change featuring Gary Cohen and our nurse leaders may be found here.

 

A recent interview with Chairman Al Gore published in the Washington Post offers more optimism than gloom and doom about global warming:http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/08/21/al-gore-explains-why-hes-optimistic-about-stopping-global-warming/  
 
Julie Moyle, RN, MSN,
Becomes Healthier Hospital Initiative's
Third Outreach Specialist
Profile courtesy Janet Brown, Healthier Hospitals Initiative
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Julie Moyle, RN, MSN
Julie received her BSN from Vanderbilt University and Master's degree in Nursing Administration from Duke University.  She has worked in the operating rooms of Shands Teaching Hospital at the University of Florida and Duke University Medical Center in clinical and management positions; the University of North Carolina School of Nursing as a visiting research instructor; and Cardinal Health as a consultant specializing in surgical services.
  

She was drawn to Boulder, Colorado, where she currently lives, and the opportunity in 2003 to open and manage the surgery department at Boulder Community Foothills Hospital, the first LEED certified hospital in the United States.  There, she began to develop her interests in environmentally sustainable practices in healthcare.  In 2011, she created 1x1 Consulting, whose mission is to assist healthcare facilities implement practices which reduce environmental impact.  She has spoken at AORN, OR Business Manager, Healthcare Without Harm and Practice Greenhealth webinars and other conferences on implementing environmentally sustainable initiatives in clinical settings.  She serves on the Advisory Board of Philanthropiece and volunteers her time on projects which promote global health and environmental sustainability.

  

A huge CONGRATULATIONS from the Nurses Work Group to our fellow nurse leader and entrepreneur Julie Moyle!   

  

Please visit the Healthier Hospitals Initiative webpage for the latest news, research, and information in health care sustainability.   

 

Remember, HHI enrollment is FREE to your hospital!   

Enrollment in the Healthier Hospitals Initiative (HHI) is free and available to all U.S. and Canadian acute care facilities, hospitals and health systems. Explore the six HHI Challenges and encourage your hospital to Enroll:Hospitals outside of the U.S. or Canada can learn more about the
 
Take Action on Healthy Food!

 

Tell Congress to Protect Antibiotics for Human Medicine.
Antibiotic resistance is a growing medical crisis. Yet, eighty percent of the antibiotics sold in the U.S. are used in animal agriculture, to promote growth and to compensate for unsanitary living conditions. This use in animal agriculture threatens the efficacy of antibiotics in treating infections in people.   

 

  

Two bills before Congress would protect antibiotics for human medicine. The Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (PAMTA) in the House and the Preventing Antibiotic Resistance Act (PARA) in the Senate represent comprehensive steps towards combating antibiotic resistance in our country. Please voice your support for these bills by sending letters to your elected officials today.

 

 
Chemical Safety Improvement Act Update

Thanks to many of you for your ongoing support in strengthening the Chemical Safety Improvement Act (CSIA) of 2013. The bill currently resides in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and Health Care Without Harm along with hundreds of other organizations and individuals are in communication with Senator Boxer(Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee) and other state Senators working to improve the bill.
  
If you are interested in organizing a meeting with your state Senator(s), please let us know and we will provide you with resources and information from Health Care Without Harm. In terms of the big pictures changes we'd like to see, our organizational position statement remains the same. To read this statement and an outline of recommended improvements to strengthen CSIA, please click here.
 

Mind the Store

New grassroots organizing toolkit (for organizers or the general public). This is a new toolkit to plan Retailer Rendezvous.  Download the toolkit directly here.  Here is a short one-minute video about the campaign.   

 
Keep in Touch! 
 
Nurses are always invited to write guest blog articles,  
so please let us know if you are interested in authoring!   

Please visit and "like"
HCWH's Facebook page!

If you have a nurse or news you'd like to highlight for an upcoming feature in The Lantern, please let us know! Also, if you'd like to send an email to the NWG listserv, use the address:
hcwh-nurses-workgroup@hcwh.org
 
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July 26, 2013~ Mary Margaret & Kelli, HCWH NWG Co-chairs take a break in the relatively cool air next to Grinnell Glacier

   

The week before Kelli got married this summer,  

her bachelorette party hiked 12 miles to see Grinnell Glacier in

Glacier National Park (where Kelli was a park ranger in 2001-2002).  

Due to climate change, the park's remaining 26 glaciers  

are expected to be gone by 2020. If you want to learn and see compelling photos of these and other glaciers, please watch http://www.chasingice.com/  

 
About Us

The HCWH Nurses Workgroup represents a community of nurses who are dedicated to implementing environmentally responsible practices in their hospitals. For more information about Health Care Without Harm, visit www.noharm.org.   

In This Issue
Climate Reality Leaders
CO Nurse Becomes HHI Outreach Specialist
Protect Antibiotics
Chemical Safety Update
Contact us!
CleanMed Proposals Deadline Extended!
HCWH In the News
Free GMO Webinars
Publish in the AJN
Climate Change Updates
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Dr. Wendy Ring and husband Michael leaving Mary Margaret's house in Seattle. 
The Climate 911 Bike Tour
is going strong and currently biking through Iowa. Bravo!!! 

By the Numbers:

  - 50+ presentations (too  many to count) 

  - 3 public radio interviews

  - 2 flat tires

  - 0 mechanical problems

  - 100+ Health Professional  

    Endorsements

  - 60+ new members

  - 17 members joining in DC!  

   
Save the Dates!    

 

Sept. 25, 8:30 pm ET/

5:30 pm PT PSR Webinar:

Climate Change & Health.  
Register here.  
 
Oct. 17, 8:30 pm ET.  Climate 911 Training Webinar  by Citizens Climate Lobby   

 

Oct. 31, 8:30 am- 4:30 pm ET Climate 911 Lobby Day, Washington DC.    

***You can help by sending a personal email requesting an endorsement of the Climate 911 Rx for Action.       

New CDC Climate Resources.
Learn what CDC is doing to prevent and adapt to the possible health effects of climate change.

  

August 1, 2013
Four Ways for Hospitals to Address Climate Change.

By Fierce Healthcare.
CleanMed 2014
Try using case stu

Now is your chance to be a part of the CleanMed 2014 program!  
 
DEADLINE IS EXTENDED: 
Friday, Oct. 11, 2013 at 
5:00 p.m. EDT

www.cleanmed.org 
Conferences & CNE
T

 

November 2-6, 2013 
Boston, MA

 

 

Head to Toe Physical Assessment Webinar Course for EOH Nurses by AAOHN.14.0 CNE led by Kerri Rupe beginning Sept. 10.  Registration here.    

 

Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments 

Fracking Conferences 

ANHE is offering these exciting learning opportunities to learn about an important public health issue. While they are geared towards nurses, non-nurses are welcome to attend! More information is available on the ANHE website.

HCWH in the News
September 10, 2013
Report Shows Mass. Hospitals Can Save $700,000/Year, Increase Disaster Resilience and Climate Change Preparedness with Combined Heat & Power Systems.

New from Health Care Without Harm and Boston Green Ribbon Commission provides guidance and case studies for hospital financial decision makers.  

August 8, 2013  

Rebranding Climate Change as a Public Health Issue. Great article in Time on why medical professionals may be the best messengers for climate change right now.

  

August 6, 2013
Health Care Without Harm President Gary Cohen and Jeff Thompson, MD, CEO of Gundersen Health System, co-wrote a blog on how hospitals can lead the effort to combat climate change.

July 5, 2013    
The White House honored Gary Cohen,Laura Anderko, PhD, RN, and other health professionals as Champions of Change. Congratulations!
OHN News
September 4, 2013
July 17, 2013
 
Please tell your legislator to support the bill by signing here.
  
Healthy Food in Healthcare
September 11, 2013
Disruptive Innovators: Hospitals increase community access to healthier food.By Healthcare Finance News

GMO Food Webinars for Health Care Providers by 

Dr. Michael Hansen!

 

Thank you to the Washington State Nurses Association and PCC Natural Markets for sharing in support of WA State Initiative-522: Label Genetically Engineered Foods. Fore more info, please visit http://yeson522.com.

 

Wednesday, Sept. 25

5-6:30pm PST (8pm EST)

 

Join meeting here:  

https://global.gotomeeting.com/meeting/join/175422749 

OR Dial in (U.S. Toll-free):  

1+ (619) 550-0000

Access Code/Meeting ID: 175-422-749

Audio PIN: Shown after joining the meeting

 

Tuesday, Oct. 8

12-1:30pm PST (3pm EST)

 

Join meeting here:

http://global.gotomeeting.com/meeting/join/218359997 

OR Dial in (U.S. Toll-free):   

1+ (404) 891-0552

Access Code/Meeting ID: 218-359-997  

Audio PIN: Shown after joining the meeting   

 

Publish in AJN!

Karen Ballard, the Contributing Editor for the Environments and Health column in the American Journal of Nursing (AJN)

is looking for submissions of environmental health articles. Topics might include:

 

Chemicals & Health, Policy Reform, etc.

Environmental Influences on Cancer 

  

Nurses' Role in Advocating for a Safe Food Supply

  

Nurses' Body Burden & Occupational Health 

  

Please submit articles 1500-2000 words (or ideas!) to Karen

kballard@nyc.rr.com   

 

We also have a couple of samples on hand that Karen sent us, so if you'd like to get an idea of what types of submissions they're looking for, drop us a line!  

Resource Links