L31: Climate Crisis

Question 1

What are 2 health co-benefits of climate change mitigation?

Answer 1

• active transportation
• plant-based diets

Question 2

How is active transportation a health co-benefit of climate change mitigation?

Answer 2

• reduced local air pollution
• reduced cancer risk, improve survival
• improved cardiorespiratory fitness
• improved mental health

Question 3

How is a plant-based diet a health co-benefit of climate change mitigation?

Answer 3

• reduced cancer risk
• improved cardiovascular health

Question 4

How does NOT flying compare to other sustainable lifestyle changes?

Answer 4

impossible to calculate the exact greenhouse gas emissions of an individual person and the potential emissions reduction, but it is clear that flights make a substantial impact on one’s personal climate footprint

• not flying long (-5100 kg)
• no car (-2000 kg)
• place 10 solar powers on roof (-1100 kg)
• go vegan
• not flying short
• eat vegetarian
• heat home more efficiently
• buy all clothes second hand
• avoid food waste
• replace all old light bulbs with LED lamps
• buy water-saving shower head

Question 5

Greenhouse Gas Emissions per Kilogram of Food Product

Answer 5

• beef (99.48 kg)
• lamb and mutton (39.72 kg)
• beef (dairy)
• prawns
• cheese
• pig meat
• poultry meat
• eggs
• rice
• milk
• tomatoes
• maize
• wheat and rye
• peas
• bananas
• potatoes
• nuts

Question 6

What is the role of healthcare providers in climate change?

Answer 6

• providing healthcare in Canada accounts for 4.6% of national greenhouse gas emissions
• inextricable links between carbon emissions, air pollution, and global warming, leading to adverse local and global health consequences

Question 7

What are the 3 main points of the framework for sustainable healthcare?

Answer 7

reduce demand:

• health promotion
• disease prevention – screening programs

match supply of health services to demand:

• reduce low yield exams – Choosing Wisely
• right test, right patient, right time
• patient scheduling to limit idle/standby time of imaging equipment

reduce emissions from supply of health services:

• energy efficiency – reduce energy waste
• facilities – room temperature control
• supply chain – circular economy – contrast recycling
• sustainable quality improvement (QI)

Question 8

How much energy does medical imaging equipment use?

Answer 8

the cumulative energy use is substantial

• Swiss study – 3 CT and 4 MRI used 4% of hospitals total energy
• 1 CT scanner = 5 x 4 person households
• 1 MRI scanner = 26 x 4 person households
• entire department = 854 x 4 person households