|
|
Follow us on social media! | |
WE ARE HIRING - Join our Team Today! | |
|
Are you passionate about sustainability and making a difference in the health sector?
The Coalition is seeking a dedicated individual to fill a new position, Program Manager. The selected candidate will be working with the Coalition team in the development and facilitation of a hospital board sustainable investment campaign. They will manage the daily operations of this work and will support the project team members in board member engagement, educational material development, and data collection.
If you're committed to advancing sustainable and climate-resilient health care, we want to hear from you! Alternatively, if you know someone who might be interested in this position please forward them this email. The application deadline is September 9th, 2024.
| |
|
Medication Optimization for Sustainability in Inpatient Care playbook
CASCADES
This playbook, developed in partnership with the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care, offers strategies to reduce the environmental impact of polypharmacy through medication optimization in inpatient settings.
This patient-centered approach enhances the effectiveness, safety, and adherence of medication regimens, reducing harm to patients, health systems, and the environment. Aimed at Canadian health care providers, the playbook provides background information, resources, and guidance for implementing these practices, contributing to more sustainable health care delivery.
The lead authors include three registered pharmacists, Ivy Lam, Sarah Fallis, and Lisa McCarthy, and family physician Myles Sergeant.
| |
|
The end-of-life care, environment and health system ‘polycrisis’ needs a new approach
McMaster University
The article addresses the "polycrisis" in Canada’s health care system, particularly in end-of-life care, where environmental sustainability and health care practices intersect. It calls for a shift towards integrated solutions that can address these challenges by balancing compassionate care with environmental considerations.
Authors advocate for collaboration across sectors, investment in green technologies, and policy reforms to create a more resilient, sustainable health care system.
The approach emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary cooperation and innovation to manage the complex interplay between health care delivery and environmental impact, ensuring that future care models are both patient-centered and environmentally responsible.
| |
|
Canadian boreal wildfires drove up carbon emissions last year
Corporate Knights
A first-of-its-kind report has found that carbon dioxide generated by wildfires leapt 16% above average last year, driven by emissions from Canadian boreal forests that were nine times the historical average.
The report, published this week in the journal Earth System Science Data, shed light on the impact of global wildfires that are increasing in ferocity and frequency. It looked at several “high impact” wildfire events in Canada, Greece, the western Amazon region and northern parts of South America between March 2023 and February 2024.
While the geographic territory burned was slightly below the average of previous years, at a total of 3.9 million square kilometres, fire carbon emissions climbed to 8.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide, the study found.
| |
|
Seasons of smoke and fire: preparing health systems for improved performance before, during, and after wildfires
The Lancet Planetary Health
The article emphasizes the growing threat of wildfires, which pose significant health risks due to direct exposure and smoke-related hazards. It highlights the challenges in effectively responding to wildfires, including inadequate training, siloed disciplines, and insufficient coordination across various levels of governance.
The review suggests a comprehensive approach that integrates climate-resilient health care and disaster management frameworks to address key areas like air quality, mental health, and emergency management. It calls for breaking down silos, enhancing collaboration, and proactively planning for better health outcomes during wildfire seasons.
| |
Webinar Series: Preparing for Climate Change in Health Care Facilities | |
If you missed any of the instalments in our Preparing for Climate Change in Health Care Facilities webinar series, you can now watch all three on our YouTube channel!
Click the link below to watch or share.
| | |
|
We can take a bite out of emissions
Canada's National Observer
| |
|
The article discusses how hospitals can reduce their carbon footprint by improving the quality and sustainability of their food offerings. It emphasizes the role of locally sourced, plant-based meals in lowering greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing patient health and satisfaction.
The author argues that hospitals should leverage their purchasing power to support sustainable agriculture and create menus that are both nutritious and environmentally friendly. By prioritizing delicious, healing food, hospitals can make a significant impact on public health and environmental sustainability.
| |
|
Retrofit Hub
Natural Resources Canada
The Buildings Division is pleased to announce the launch of the Retrofit Hub – a platform designed to serve as a centralized resource hub for all things related to building retrofits.
It offers a collection of resources, including:
-
Information and Data: Discover funding, information, and resources to help advance your retrofit projects.
-
Tools and Guidance Documents: Access practical tools and comprehensive guidance documents to streamline your retrofit projects.
-
Retrofit Accelerators: Discover accelerator organisations (funded by the Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative) ready to support building owners through the deep retrofit journey.
| |
|
Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit
Our climate challenge is an energy crisis. For a long time it has been clear that we need to transition to an electrified economy in order to meet the aggressive greenhouse gas emissions targets required to stabilize the climate.
In the latest Federal budget, Canada’s government has expanded the eligibility criteria for the Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit. Up to 30% of your investment in clean, renewable energy projects is now refundable. Your organisation can adopt solar today and take direct action in reducing emissions – while reducing your energy costs. Solar is good for the environment, and good for business.
Companies such as the VCT Group provide free site assessments to their clients to help you find out if solar is a good fit for your organisation.
| |
Heat Pumps for All Campaign | Support the Heat Pumps For All campaign by emailing your Members of parliament today. A universal free heat pump program could save lives, reduce energy bills, and protect the planet. Take a few minutes to make your voice heard—350 Canada provides an easy-to-use online tool to help you quickly send your message. Let's work together to drive meaningful change. | | |
|
New $7.5 million ZEVAI funding round awarded five recipients
Electric Autonomy
Thirty-five projects across Canada are receiving $7.5 million in federal government zero-emission vehicle awareness initiative (ZEVAI) funding.
The focus of this latest round of funding supports organisations dedicated to raising awareness and education about electric vehicles, public charging, refuelling infrastructure and clean fuels.
In addition, the government launched a new webpage to help organisations identify which ongoing federal zero-emission vehicle infrastructure funding opportunities they are eligible for.
| |
|
Vancouver to host Canada's first docked scooter sharing program
Electric Autonomy
Concerns over ride-share e-scooters creating hazards on sidewalks and streets are causing debate among municipal governments in Canada. The City of Vancouver has found a solution.
Lime, a Canadian micro-mobility provider, now has the green light to launch a public e-scooter sharing program in Vancouver — complete with docking infrastructure.
The City of Vancouver’s e-scooter contract with Lime spans an initial five-year term with option to extend the deal for up to three additional five-year terms.
| |
|
Version 9.1 of the RETScreen® Clean Energy Management Software platform is now available for download from the RETScreen website. This update has arrived with a number of salient new features to enhance the RETScreen experience!
One of the latest features is an automated Net Zero Planning Tool which further enables portfolio-wide decarbonization planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting – all available within one single multilingual platform. Learn more about the new tool HERE.
|
|
EVENTS, TRAINING AND WEBINARS | |
|
Health leadership competencies for current and future climate change emergencies
CASCADES
Date: September 19, 2024
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm ET
In this session, Jeffrey Tochkin will speak about his experience navigating the health impacts of climate emergencies and will describe the cycle of preparedness through to response and recovery.
The session will explore lessons learned through a leadership lens and strategies to increase health organisation resilience. These incorporate the societal nature of resilience and consider how health organisations can influence our collective resilience in light of ever-more challenging emergencies.
| |
|
Is your health care pension healthy for the planet
Registered Nurses Association of Ontario
Date: September 19, 2024
Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm ET
In this webinar – Shift: Action for Pension Wealth and Planet Health – will explain how health care pensions invest your retirement savings, why your pension is a powerful lever for climate action, and what you can do to ensure that the money you put into your pension is working for the good of the planet and your retirement.
You’ll hear firsthand from health care professionals who are working to push their pensions to stop investing in fossil fuels and start investing billions in the climate solutions that will give us a safe and livable planet, including remarks from Doris Grinspun, CEO of the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario.
| |
CHES 2024 National Conference - Sept. 8th-10th | |
The 2024 CHES National Chapter Conference & Trade Show will be held in Halifax Nova Scotia on September 8th-10th.
Join us in Halifax for a chance to gain CEU credits with a fantastic program, visit an exhibit hall full of new information and innovation and mix and mingle with delegates from across Canada during social events.
Visit the Coalition booth in the Green Park, and learn about a new project soon to be announced!
| |
|
Have you registered as an organ donor?
Contact your local organ donation agency and speak to your family about your wishes. You have the power to save and transform lives. Learn more and register to donate HERE.
| |
The Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care is Canada’s premier green health care resource network, leading the evolution of green in Canada’s health sector as a national voice and catalyst for environmental change. www.greenhealthcare.ca | |
Some articles referred to in the Digest make reference to services and/or product offerings from specific suppliers. The CCGHC recommends that readers research the service and product offerings available through a wider range of suppliers for comparison purposes and in keeping with public sector purchasing guidelines. These articles should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any product or service. | | | | |
