Reasons for Optimism About Academic Medicine’s Actions Against Climate Change

Abstract

Since the first mention of climate change in Academic Medicine in 2009, the pace of the climate crisis has accelerated, its impacts on every facet of planetary health have grown more severe, and the urgency for humans to act has become more dire. Medical schools, teaching hospitals and health systems, universities, affiliated organizations, and the millions of people who traverse the halls of these institutions as leaders, physicians, scientists, educators, learners, patients and families, and community members have an obligation to respond. In this commentary, the authors describe 3 reasons they are optimistic that academic medicine will continue to act against climate change. First, the mission of academic medicine, inherently aligned with climate action, propels teaching hospitals and health systems to address climate change to improve the health of patients, families, and communities. Second, younger generations of learners, faculty, and staff who populate the workforce increasingly desire, and often demand, to work at institutions that are aligned with their personal values for climate action. Third, broader forces are pushing academic medicine forward in action against climate change. Economic factors will continue to reduce the cost and increase the return on investment of climate-smart facilities, purchased goods and services, fuel, transportation, food systems, and waste management. The authors are optimistic but not complacent. Current levels of climate action in academic medicine are not nearly enough. Faculty, staff, learners, leaders, patients and families, and community partners can and must apply a “climate lens” to everything they do: weave climate solutions into education, patient care, research, community collaborations, operations, and supply chain and facility management; integrate climate actions into strategic thinking, planning, and doing; address health inequities and climate injustice; and leverage their trusted voices to press for climate action and climate justice in the health sector and in society.