2 opportunities to improve surgery’s carbon footprint
A new survey by ecoAmerica revealed concern about climate change is growing in the United States along with trust in health professionals as sources of climate change information. As more people make connections about climate’s impact on our health, there is also increasing interest in the environmental impact of health care delivery.
NPR recently talked with experts from Health Care Without Harm and Practice Greenhealth about the carbon footprint of surgery, sharing our organization’s insight to help reduce impact. As climate’s impact on surgical patients and services comes to focus, surgical professionals have a critical role to play in advocating for climate solutions through research, education, and climate-smart surgery.
Health Care Without Harm is excited to share two opportunities for health care professionals to advance climate solutions and advocate for more sustainable surgery practices.
Surgeons for a Sustainable Future
To answer the call for more sustainable surgery practices, our Physician Network launched Surgeons for a Sustainable Future, led by Drs. Amanda Dilger and Neelu Tummala. Drs. Dilger and Tummala were co-authors of a recent article in ENTtoday, along with Dr. Natalie Krane, discussing what otolaryngologists can do to lessen their carbon footprint. They also shared insights from Practice Greenhealth and our Global Climate Footprint report.
Surgeons interested in advancing climate solutions through advocacy, research, education, and the promotion of climate-smart surgery can join our Physician Network and request to join Surgeons for a Sustainable Future.A virtual education session on climate, health, and the future of surgery
Three physician leaders will present at CleanMed Connect, discussing climate’s impact on the health of surgical patients and sharing opportunities for surgical professionals to advocate for climate solutions inside and outside of the ER.
Physician perspective on climate, health, and the future of surgery will take place on Tuesday, May 18 at 2 p.m. ET with speakers Drs. Sofya Asfaw, Brian Cheseboro, and Neelu Tummala. This discussion is one of over 20 sessions that will take place throughout the May 18-20 event.
