Dear Providence family,
Last year, those of us living in BC experienced several major climate-related emergencies – the heat dome in June, extreme wildfires throughout the summer and an atmospheric river in the fall. These crises claimed lives, caused serious damage to the province’s infrastructure and put additional pressure on our health care system and staff, which are already feeling the weight of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and poisoned drug supply crisis.
These emergencies underscored not only the urgency of the climate situation, but also how interrelated it is with the delivery of health care.
The GreenCare Survey is on now until March 18, and I hope that everyone at Providence will take 5 minutes to complete it. This survey is coordinated by The Energy and Environmental Sustainability team, who serve Fraser Health, Providence Health Care, PHSA, and VCH .
The GreenCare Survey is one of the tools that Providence uses to measure our environmental progress, and get a better understanding of the sustainability priorities of our staff and medical staff. The survey results help inform the work that happens as part of our foundational principle of Sustainability within the Mission: Forward Strategic Plan. In our sustainability plan, we are committed to reducing Providence’s environmental footprint to achieve — and hopefully exceed — national benchmarks for sustainable, green, and minimal impact.
Like last year, the survey will also gather data on the effect that the pandemic has had on our own actions, such as the increase in active commuting and impact of continued remote working for those who are able. A few interesting highlights from last year’s survey include:
• 86% of survey respondents agree or strongly agree that health care organizations should demonstrate leadership when it comes to environmental health and wellness in the workplace and our communities.
• 71% have reported that COVID-19 has impacted the actions that they take to reduce environmental impact in health care – less printing waste, less driving
• 20% of commutes replaced with working from home
To read the full results of last year’s survey, click here.
To find out more information about the work of the Energy and Environmental Sustainability Team, or to learn about becoming a Green+Leader, visit the GreenCare website.
Please complete the 2022 GreenCare Survey here
With best wishes,
Fiona
