UW’s second annual climate symposium highlights urgency and action in healthcare
Since the first University of Washington Symposium on Climate Change and Clinical Practice in 2024, major climate-related developments have shaped healthcare’s response. The second annual symposium, held on March 7th, provided a platform to discuss challenges and accelerate climate action.
The event, sponsored by the University of Washington School of Medicine, UW Medical Center, the UW Departments of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, UW Center for Health and the Global Environment (CHanGE), UW EarthLab, and UW Sustainability, showcased expert discussions on climate science, public health impacts, and practical solutions for advancing sustainability in healthcare.
Other sessions examined the role of healthcare institutions in reducing emissions, with discussions on phasing out high-carbon anesthetics and improving hospital sustainability practices. Educators and clinicians also explored ways to integrate planetary health into medical training, ensuring that future healthcare professionals are equipped to address climate-related health challenges.
Other sessions examined the role of healthcare institutions in reducing emissions, with discussions on phasing out high-carbon anesthetics and improving hospital sustainability practices. Educators and clinicians also explored ways to integrate planetary health into medical training, ensuring that future healthcare professionals are equipped to address climate-related health challenges.
Department of Emergency Medicine faculty are making significant contributions to these climate efforts. Dr. Jeremy Hess has joined the National Academy of Medicine’s (NAM’s) Action Collaborative on Decarbonizing the US Health Sector and serves on its Health Care Delivery Committee. Dr. Stefan Wheat was appointed as Planetary Health Theme Director after the release of the 2022 Planetary Health Report Card, which awarded the UW School of Medicine a "D" grade due to its limited educational initiatives focused on planetary health.
Building on past efforts, the most recent report card shows UW Medicine's Institutional Grade improved to a "B." Medical students now receive dedicated climate and health education, with plans to expand into clinical training.
"We hope to continue to galvanize the climate and health community at UW Medicine toward fostering climate resilience for the patients we serve in addition to advancing sustainable health practices across our health system," said Wheat.
As UW Medicine continues to lead in climate resilience, this symposium reaffirmed the healthcare sector's critical role in mitigating climate change and protecting public health.
