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| The Health Sector on the Front Lines |
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In the age of climate change, the health sector finds itself on the front lines, confronting and adapting to a changing landscape and shifting burden of disease. By working to reduce carbon pollution in the atmosphere, while developing forward looking adaptation strategies, we can protect human health, saving lives and money. Indeed, the health sector can play a leadership role in developing and modeling climate solutions for the rest of society. |
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| Reports & Publications |
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Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Agenda is a document that sets out to support existing efforts around the world to promote greater sustainability and environmental health in the health sector, and thereby to strengthen health systems globally.
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| Notice: The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of Health Care Without Harm concerning the legal, social, economic status of any country, territory, city of area or of its authorities. The published material is being distributed without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. The responsibility for the interpretation and use of the material lies with the reader. Online articles and links might expire days after their release date. |
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| Australia: Reducing The Carbon Footprint
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| source GreenHospitals |
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Prue Power, CEO of the Australian Hospitals and Healthcare Association (AHHA), was surprised to learn that the health sector is responsible for
seven per cent of the carbon emissions from all buildings in Australia. Power, whose organization is a founding member of Global
Green and Healthy Hospitals, said recently, "'I wouldn't have slotted hospitals and health services as being big carbon emitters.'"
Today, Power and AHHA are championing "climate policies which will reduce the impacts of climate change on human health, and to ensure
the preparedness of the health system for the challenges of climate change and warmer temperatures," according to the Crikey Health Blog.
AHHA will focus on energy efficiency and will host the Australian launch of Global Green and Healthy Hospitals at its upcoming "Greening the
Health Sector" forum. The forum will kick-start dialog among participants about how hospitals and healthcare providers can reduce their own
carbon footprints. more |
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| Europe: Bacterial Infection Linked to Climate Change
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| source Nature Climate Change |
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Scientists expressed There is increasing concern regarding the role of climate change in accelerating driving bacterial waterborne infectious diseases in a recent . study, published in the journal Nature Climate Change. The research, which examined An outbreak of gastroenteritis in Northern Europe, provided evidence that is being caused by manmade climate change can cause increased incidence rates of disease, according to a new study, published in the journal Nature Climate Change. The authorsResearchers concludedsaid the pathogenic vibrio bacteria thrive in greater numbers due to the warming of the Baltic Sea close to population centers in Europe. Notably, the bacterial genus v is offering the bacteria vibrio to thrive. Vibrio s is a group of bacteria that typically grows in warm and tropical environments. It can cause a variety of illnesses in humans, ranging from gastroenteritis to cholera, according to the study. more |
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| Asia: Carbon Challenges Linked to Health Concerns
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| source Bangkok Post |
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Asia Pacific is expected to produce roughly 45% of the world's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2030 and up to 60% by the end of the century if current trends continue, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP ), according to an article in the Bangkok Post. The figures underscore the challenges the region's policymakers face as they deal with climate change, rapid population growth, urbanisation and increasing consumption demand. With rapid growth in Asia Pacific countries leading to increasing emissions and degradation of natural resources, progress in addressing climate change has been limited . The article notes that Air pollution is, at the same time, a concern and has been linked to premature deaths and numerous health problems, as well as reduced agricultural yields. more |
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| US: HCWH and Magee-Womens Hospital Hold Climate and Health Symposium |
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| source MarketWatch |
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Leading experts in the health effects of climate change gathered to speak to health professionals on the links between climate and health and why it is important to the health care sector to lead on this. Gary Cohen, President of Health Care Without Harm, presented on cClimate cChange and hHealth, while Terry Collins and Teresa Heinz, Professors of Green Chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University, presented on Energy and Sustainability. here |
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