Written by CAF Youth Quinn
Hospitals have a big impact on the climate crisis. Between pollution, waste management, and influence in society, the medical field can have massive effects on our planet, for better or worse.
As a young person, I feel strongly about climate justice, as it is our generation – and future generations – that will have to deal with the consequences. We are already seeing crystal clear evidence of climate change, and every year it is only getting worse.
Working with Climate Action Families has been such an incredible experience and I’m so grateful that I’ve been able to be a part of this organization and have more involvement in leadership events after joining the Youth Advisory Board.
Last month, two youth from the advisory board (including myself) went to the Grand Rounds at Seattle Children’s Hospital. After having a call with professionals from WPSR (Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility), we prepared questions to ask doctors at SCH based on the information acquired from the talk. The doctors at WPSR were very informative, and their commitment to climate justice was inspiring.
During the Grand Rounds, both CAF youth and SCH doctors asked and answered questions. It was thrilling to be on the panel, and I learned so much from the answers the doctors gave in response to the questions we asked. One of the ways we can act on climate justice is having intergenerational activism and making space for people of different perspectives and backgrounds so they can come together. Being on the panel gave me insight into the ways we can approach climate action and the challenges we face when we try to do so.
With new reports every day showing the noticeable and increasing amount of dangerous, or even deadly events caused by climate change, it’s normal to feel like it can be difficult to take action.
The doctors at Seattle Children’s aren’t perfect, but they are taking crucial steps toward a greener future in hospitals. Although there are multiple missed opportunities to take action on climate justice at SCH, the doctors expressed a strong desire to start implementing more environmentally conscious actions in the near future and are already taking inspiring steps to improve.
In the Grand Rounds, the doctors discussed that they are trying to eliminate waste by working with professionals to lower emissions from the gas used in anesthesia and reduce the amount of plastic in daily usage. They also mentioned that they have been alerting their patients of the direct connection between the climate crisis and certain health issues, which spreads awareness and uses their platform for good.
Although it can be challenging to lower the carbon footprint of hospitals, as so many procedures and everyday occurrences require practices that are not the most environmentally friendly, the efforts doctors at SCH are taking are noticeable. I feel so honored to have been able to go to the Grand Rounds and am excited to see what the future holds for CAF and Seattle Children’s.
