FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: press@hcwh.org, Rob Gough, Climate Communications Manager, Health Care Without Harm
Health system CEOs respond to U.S. commitments on climate-smart, climate-ready care
WASHINGTON (Nov. 6, 2021) – Our health care systems have been facing the challenges of both a global pandemic and the growing health impacts from climate change. The Biden administration has demonstrated a clear understanding of the urgency of the moment by committing to an ambitious, science-based target to halve the country’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Health care is at the front line of climate change, bearing both the financial costs and human health burden from increased disease spread and more frequent extreme weather events. As guardians of community health, hospitals and health care systems must not only do our part, we must lead the way.
A leadership body of 19 health care systems, the U.S. Health Care Climate Council, stands ready to share best practices and support the administration in its commitment to the COP26 Health Programme.
Statement from Jim Skogsbergh, Advocate Aurora Health, President and CEO:
We applaud the work of the Biden Administration to address the climate crisis that threatens our nation’s health. As an organization dedicated to helping people live well, we welcome opportunities to partner with governmental agencies, the business community and fellow health systems to reduce the health sector’s climate impacts, prepare for the effects of climate change, and ensure a healthy and equitable environment for our patients and communities.
Statement from Craig Cordola, Ascension, Executive VP and COO:
“Health care’s impact on the climate, impacts the social determinants of health for the communities and patients we are privileged to serve. We believe that transitioning to a climate-smart, climate-ready health system aligns with Ascension's Mission to sustain and improve the health of individuals and communities, especially for those most vulnerable.”
Statement from Lloyd H. Dean, CommonSpirit Health, CEO:
CommonSpirit Health's deep commitment to a healthier future includes protecting our environment because there's an unbreakable connection between people and the planet. Climate change is a public health problem, and at its core, a health equity issue. We remain committed to supporting the administration's push for climate action, reducing our carbon footprint and protecting the health of our patients, our people and our communities.
Statement from Greg A. Adams, Kaiser Permanente, Chair and CEO:
As extreme weather and wildfires continue to rage across the U.S., it’s clear that the health impacts of climate change are here today, and they disproportionately impact the most vulnerable among us, adding to harmful effects of wildfire smoke on those suffering with COVID-19. Kaiser Permanente is committed to building a low-carbon, resilient health care system, and we are making important progress. To create a healthier, more sustainable path forward, we must address climate and health equity as one inseparable issue.
Statement from Robert I. Grossman, MD, NYU Langone Health, CEO and Dean of NYU Grossman School of Medicine:
"NYU Langone Health recognizes the crucial links between our community’s wellbeing and a sustainable environment. Climate change represents a significant threat to public health and we are committed to partnering with other industry leaders and governmental agencies to break down barriers and find innovative ways to reduce our impact and remain resilient in response to an increasingly unstable climate.”
Statement from Rod Hochman, MD, Providence, President and CEO:
“Providence is answering the call to act during this environmental crisis by pledging to be carbon negative by 2030. Our response to this crisis aligns with our core value of justice, as we seek to ease the suffering of so many who feel the health impacts of climate change and pollution disproportionately. We stand ready to partner with the Biden Administration and other health systems. We applaud the leadership being shown.”
Statement from Jeff Sperring, MD, Seattle Children’s, CEO:
Climate change is a global health crisis and children are especially susceptible to its impacts. As a result, Seattle Children’s has taken action to minimize our environmental impact to ensure we reach our climate goal of Carbon Neutral by 2025. We believe environmental stewardship, in partnership with the communities we serve, will allow us to deliver on our mission of providing hope, care and cures so every child may live their healthiest and most fulfilling life.
About the Health Care Climate Council
The Health Care Climate Council is a leadership body of 19 health systems in 41 states committed to protecting their patients and employees from the health impacts of climate change and becoming anchors for resilient communities. Council members implement innovative climate solutions, inspire and support others to act, and use their trusted voice and purchasing power to move policy and markets to drive the transformation to climate-smart health care.
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