Climate and health news: February 2021
New fossil fuel mortality study reveals shocking stats
Photo courtesy of Maverick Photo Agency
One in five deaths can be attributed to fossil fuel air pollution, with more than 8 million deaths occurring worldwide in 2018 according to new research. Fossil fuels are taking lives, jeopardizing health, and vulnerable populations are suffering at higher rates. Momentum in the private and public sectors is building, but there is a need to mobilize further. Find out how you can advocate for a rapid and just transition to a low-carbon economy that protects public health, creates jobs, and promotes equity.
Safeguarding health and equity
Nurses Climate Challenge celebrates major expansion
The Nurses Climate Challenge is expanding to make this program more accessible to nurses around the globe. Health Care Without Harm and the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments recently added a full suite of resources tailored for nurses in Canada, thanks to a new partnership with the Canadian Association of Nurses for the Environment. Health Care Without Harm also launched Nurses Climate Challenge Europe this month and plans to offer comprehensive resources for European nurses in the future.
Join our global movement
Bringing health care leaders to the table
McCarthy and Health Care Without Harm founder Gary Cohen sit down for a discussion on stage after her keynote address at CleanMed 2019.
In January, the importance of health sector engagement in climate solutions was emphasized with the newly appointed White House national climate advisor Gina McCarthy at two events featuring insight from Health Care Without Harm and our Health Care Climate Council member CommonSpirit Health.
Assembling for climate action
Can Kaiser Permanente demonstrate diesel generators should be on the way out?
Kaiser Permanente's Richmond Medical Center was the first hospital in California to implement a renewable energy-fueled microgrid. (Kaiser Permanente)
Kaiser Permanente’s new demonstration project could help provide evidence of the feasibility and reliability of microgrid solutions to provide safe, clean back-up power as we move to decarbonize health care and reduce emissions.
A clean energy innovation
Advocacy update: Confronting climate change in Massachusetts
As Gov. Baker and the Massachusetts Legislature continue to craft legislation to put the state on a path to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, Health Care Without Harm and its partners continue to call for an equitable, clean energy future that protects public health.
Calling for collaboration
Upcoming events
The climate crisis: Addressing impacts on clinical practice (CME provided), March 10
UCSF population health and health equity: Climate and health speaker series, March 18, April 15, May 20
CleanMed Connect 2021, May 18-20
Visit our Climate and Health program page to learn more about our work and how you can get involved.
