Health care systems in the United States have a significant impact on climate change, contributing 8.5% to 10% of all carbon emissions in the country. Despite the connection between climate issues and millions of deaths worldwide, the health sector has one of the largest carbon footprints in the national economy. However, health systems have recently realized the need to reduce their climate impact, pledging to revamp everything from food to energy, transportation, and chemicals.
Health systems reduce their climate impact
Hospitals are taking active measures to reduce their carbon footprint. They are buying plastic-free supplies, installing solar panels, and seeking ways to reduce their waste. Such changes are critical to reducing the impact of climate change on health.
However, health care systems must ensure that their efforts to decarbonize do not inadvertently harm the surrounding communities. Associate Professor Maria Merritt from the International Health and the Berman Institute of Bioethics is exploring ethical decision-making approaches to ensure that community members, particularly those facing health inequities, are not unintentionally harmed.
Communities must not be unintentionally harmed
Poorer community members with limited adaptability stand to lose the most. Thus, it is essential to engage these communities and hear their voices during the policy process. Merritt envisions a set of place-based case studies to explore possible extensions of social justice assessment to health care decarbonization.
Reducing climate impact has health benefits
Merritt argues that mitigating climate impact in the long run would have shorter-term health benefits. “Reducing things like air pollution and developing more sustainable food systems might have health benefits that themselves justify the investment,” Merritt says.
“There’s a way to get to the low-carbon future that also is equitable for communities,” says Merritt. “It isn’t going to happen all by itself if we don’t try to make it happen.”
