In 2021, Paul Goodenough, a palliative care chaplain at Indiana University Health, was driving to work when he was struck with an epiphany: Climate change was happening and he was ready to make a difference.
Starting that day, Mr. Goodenough began studying more regarding climate change issues, their impact on health and what healthcare workers could do to help. He participated in block cleanups, made a point of picking up trash in front of the hospital and even created slideshows for hospital staff on what they can do to improve sustainability at their hospital.
“Healthcare contributes 8.5% to national U.S. greenhouse gas emissions,” he told Becker’s. “As someone whose profession is to help people get better, knowing that healthcare has a huge environmental impact is a cause for distress. We can’t afford to make people any sicker. We can’t afford to work against our mission of health. We can’t place that moral burden on healthcare workers. We need to find ways for healthcare workers to become more engaged and active in promoting environmental health.”
Since 2021, Indianapolis-based IU Health has hired a sustainability director, executive director and project manager to lead the charge for sustainability at its system. And Mr. Goodenough has served as a connector and cheerleader for the cause, helping build relationships in the hospital to bridge the gap between knowledge and action.
This year, Mr. Goodenough is leading the system’s participation in the One Healthcare EcoChallenge, a platform through which healthcare professionals can learn how to be more sustainable at work and home, and track their daily contributions. Mr. Goodenough said that IU Health staff are creating healthier lives and environments in a few ways, including reducing items they buy, drinking more water and avoiding single-use items.
“Just yesterday, we announced that IU Health cafeterias will no longer use Styrofoam,” he said. “We’re shifting to compostable and renewable products. That’s worth celebrating.”
Although healthcare is one of the hardest sectors to decarbonize, systems can begin by educating their staff.
“That begins with onboarding,” he said. “Every employee should understand their environmental impact. Medical schools must include robust climate education. Sustainability education must be standard, not optional.”
