By Lucy Eum, Resident, Dalhousie Department of Medicine and Outreach Assistant, Office of Community Partnerships and Global Health
I attended the 2024 CASCADES (Creating a Sustainable Canadian Health System in a Climate Crisis) Summer Institute on Sustainable Health Systems in June at the Dalhousie hub. I had the privilege of engaging in insightful panel discussions, participating in collaborative workshops, and exchanging knowledge—all while enjoying some great food.
We talked about the intricate ways in which different aspects of our healthcare system contribute to environmental sustainability or, conversely, to the climate crisis. It was fascinating to hear about initiatives being implemented across the country and internationally, from reducing energy consumption in hospitals to incorporating more plant-based options in hospital cafeterias.
We also delved into the ways in which climate change disproportionately affects Indigenous communities, threatening their traditional ways of living and food procurement. This aspect of the institute highlighted the importance of preserving Indigenous knowledge and practices, which are crucial for both cultural survival and environmental stewardship.
I interacted with people from various backgrounds, including medical trainees at different stages, nurses, and researchers. One participant shared a simple but impactful change they made at home, like using refillable soaps instead of buying more bottles. We also brainstormed micro, meso, and macro-level changes to health systems, such as potential alternatives to glass IV medication bottles and implementing environmentally conscious prescribing practices. Additionally, we discussed how environmental changes could affect specific populations, such as outdoor workers, those requiring home dialysis, the elderly with limited supports, and the homeless, and explored ways to address these challenges.
Overall, the institute was a great opportunity to learn and be inspired by the work being done to create a more sustainable healthcare system. The experience reminded me that even in a complex system like healthcare, every small effort counts and can contribute to a larger impact.
“CASCADES is an initiative of four founding partners: the University of Toronto Collaborative Centre for Climate, Health & Sustainable Care, the Healthy Populations Institute at Dalhousie University, the Planetary Healthcare Lab at the University of British Columbia, and the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care. In Quebec, CASCADES is a partner in the Réseau d’action pour la santé durable du Québec. CASCADES strengthens the capacity of the healthcare community across Canada to transition towards, high-quality, low-carbon, sustainable and climate resilient care. To learn more, visit: https://cascadescanada.ca”