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Fundraising with the Coalition - Seeking volunteers | |
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The Coalition is currently seeking community builders with fundraising and communications experience to join our volunteer committee.
As an organisation committed to an environmentally sustainable, climate resilient, net zero Canadian health system we want to build capabilities and capacity in individuals and organisations to enable the development of green health policies and practices.
We are actively recruiting members with a diversity of interests and experiences to join our new fundraising sub-committee of the the Coalition board launching in Fall 2023.
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CHES - Call for Submissions
The Fall 2023 issue of CHES's Journal, Canadian Healthcare Facilities (CHF), is currently seeking article submissions related to the following topics: Facility Management & Design and Sustainable Health Care.
The deadline for final article submissions is Friday September 15th, 2023.
If you are interested in submitting an article, please contact the Journal's Editor, Clare Tattersall, at claret@mediaedge.ca with the proposed topic.
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New report proves nature-based health projects save NHS time and money
The Wildlife Trusts
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Nature-based health and wellbeing programmes could save hundreds of millions of pounds each year and reduce society’s reliance on the NHS, according to a new report by The Wildlife Trusts.
New analysis published on July 20th, 2023 A Natural Health Service: Improving Lives and Saving Money, found that green prescribing can save more in health care costs than the price of running a green prescribing scheme.
Green prescribing is an evidence-based pillar of social prescribing that harnesses the health, well-being, and social benefits of spending time in nature. It enables GPs and other health care practitioners to refer people to nature-based programs to improve physical and mental health.
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B.C hospitals became dangerously hot and equipment failed during heat dome: report
Vancouver Sun
The province should prioritize spending that protects critical infrastructure from disruptions caused by extreme heat after hospitals became dangerously hot and had critical equipment failures during the 2021 heat dome, according to a report commissioned by the B.C. government.
The investments include building electricity systems that are resilient to rapidly rising demand, recommends the new report, The Case for Adapting to Extreme Heat: Costs of the 2021 B.C. Heat Wave, authored by the non-profit Canadian Climate Institute.
While there were no widespread power failures, local heat-related electrical breakdowns suggest the potential for major system disruption, says the report.
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Climate change strains the health care system. How we treat patients is part of the problem
Canada's National Observer
In recent years, Canadians have experienced the health impacts of extreme heat, poor air quality from wildfires and harmful algae blooms caused by excess nutrients and pollution, all of which are exacerbated by climate change. Though the climate crisis strains the Canadian health care system, the sector itself also contributes to the problem, accounting for five per cent of Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions.
Dr. Ilona Hale, a Kimberley, B.C.-based family physician and author of Planetary Health for Primary Care, hopes her work can help change that statistic. The guide is based on four principles of sustainable health care: reducing unnecessary care, empowering patients, environmental alternatives and health promotion.
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Breaking down the health impacts of climate change
Global News
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified climate change as the single biggest health threat facing humanity.
From forest fires and floods to heatwaves and severe storms, North America has seen multiple extreme weather events already this summer. And health care professionals are trying to respond to health harms caused by this unfolding crisis.
Global’s Miranda Anthistle talks with Ontario Medical Association President Andrew Park.
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Key areas for climate action in health care
CASCADES
Equip yourself and your organisation with effective strategies to reduce the environmental impact of health care and address climate risk.
The CASCADES 10 priority action areas for high-quality, low-carbon, sustainable and climate-resilient health systems are supported by the clear evidence and experience needed for decisive movement forward.
For each action area, you will find a mix of robust, implementation-ready resources, training to strengthen your local capacity, and ways to get connected with others working in this space.
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St. Joseph's Hospital looks to partner with local farmers to give patients fresh food
CBC News
St. Joseph's Health Care London is calling out for local farmers and food growers who can supply fresh and locally sourced produce for its inpatients and residents.
The London, Ontario, hospital is hoping to hear from farmers about their business and capabilities to determine what local growers can provide through a request for information (RFI) that will help structure a deal that would benefit the whole community.
It's the first step to figuring out a long-term plan that will eventually pave out details that include, but aren't limited to, the products that can be grown and how to manage orders and deliveries.
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Toward a greener, healthier hospital menus
The University of British Columbia
With support from Vancouver Coastal Health, Dr. Annie Lalande and a team of colleagues set out on a mission to study and improve the food served in local hospitals. So far, her research has highlighted the critical link between patient well-being, hospital nutrition and planetary health.
“Poor food quality is often the primary driver of malnutrition in hospitals,” said Dr. Lalande. “And when patients are undernourished, they are much more likely to experience complications and poorer health outcomes.”
Hospital food systems also have a significant impact on the environment. Globally, the industrial food system is responsible for one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions.
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Will e-bike rebate program get people out of their cars? Here's what UBC research shows
Vancouver Sun
A $6-million electric bike rebate program that launched in June 2023 is underpinned by research that indicates the pedal-assist bicycles can get people out of their cars, helping reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and congestion.
The program announced last week by the B.C. government is expected to make an e-bike purchase more affordable for about 9,000 people, with rebates as high as $1,400 depending on income.
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The cleaner reality of electric vehicles
Electric Autonomy
For some time now, there has been no shortage of terms used to criticize the move towards electric vehicles. Some mention the environmental impact, mining or child labour.
But what is the reality?
In the race to achieve the energy transition, demand for certain critical minerals has risen sharply, posing ecological and humanitarian challenges. That’s why researchers have developed batteries with little or no nickel or cobalt, given concerns about child labour in Congo’s cobalt mines.
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What energy efficient HVAC alternatives exist for health care facilities?
Healthcare Facilities Today
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Health care facilities are known for drawing upon vast amounts of energy to keep their processes running. One such energy-hog in health care facilities is HVAC. However, there are energy efficient alternatives to traditional HVAC systems available.
In this manufacturer roundtable, Healthcare Facilities Today speaks with HVAC manufacturers about potential energy efficient alternatives to regular HVAC systems.
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Release of RETScreen® Version 9.0
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Version 9 of the RETScreen® Clean Energy Management Software platform was released on October 13th, 2022 and 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!
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EVENTS, TRAINING AND WEBINARS | |
2023 CHES National Conference | |
Registration is now open for the 43rd annual CHES National Conference!
Attend or exhibit to connect with delegates from health care facilities, architects, engineers & contractors from across Canada and Internationally.
Dates: September 17th-19th
Location: RBC Convention Centre, Winnipeg
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RETScreen® is a Clean Energy Management Software system for energy efficiency, renewable energy and cogeneration project feasibility analysis as well as ongoing energy performance analysis.
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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.
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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. | | | | |
