Climate Mitigation and Environmental Sustainability
Climate mitigation and sustainability efforts are critical for protecting lives and well-being into the future. Mitigation is the process of reducing carbon emissions and sequestering carbon from the atmosphere to limit warming and climate changes. Environmental sustainability involves other efforts to protect the environment. People with disabilities and the healthcare industry must be included in mitigation and sustainability efforts.
Mitigation: General Resources
United Nations Climate Change: Introduction to Mitigation
Introductory information about mitigation and long-term solution strategies
IPCC Sixth Assessment Report. Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change
This report discusses the updated global assessment of climate change mitigation progress. It explains developments in emission reduction and mitigation efforts.
Science Direct: Climate Change Mitigation
This resource provides a list of relevant research and policy papers related to mitigation solutions
United Nations Climate Action: Renewable energy – powering a safer future
Article advocating the need to accelerate the transition to clean energy and additional information on how to make the transition
UN Environment Program: Mitigation
Information and resources to promote cost-effective and available solutions to reduce emissions from energy systems, industry, buildings, transport, and agriculture sectors
Berdikeeva, S., & Cesanek, J. (2024). Green energy. Save On Energy. https://www.saveonenergy.com/green-energy/
Leochico, C. F., Giusto, M. L., & Mitre, R. (2021). Impact of scientific conferences on climate change and how to make them eco-friendly and inclusive: A scoping review. The Journal of Climate Change and Health, 4, 100042. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joclim.2021.100042
Tenforde, A. S., Alexander, J. J., Alexander, M., Annaswamy, T. M., Carr, C. J., Chang, P., Díaz, M., Iaccarino, M. A., Lewis, S. B., Millett, C., Pandit, S., Ramirez, C. P., Rinaldi, R., Roop, M., Slocum, C. S., Tekmyster, G., Venesy, D., Verduzco‐Gutierrez, M., Zorowitz, R. D., & Rowland, T. R. (2023). Telehealth in PM&R: Past, present, and future in clinical practice and opportunities for Translational Research. PM&R, 15(9), 1156–1174. https://doi.org/10.1002/pmrj.13029
Toward green and sustainable educational conferences in physical and rehabilitation medicine
Leochico, C. F., Di Giusto, M. L., & Mitre, R. (2021). Toward green and sustainable educational conferences in physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. The Journal of the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 4(4), 201–202. https://doi.org/10.4103/jisprm-000147
Connections to Health
AMA Journal of Ethics 24:10 (Full Issue): Health Care Waste
Gillman, J. (2009). Hospitals and “used goods.” AMA Journal of Ethics, 11(6), 448–450. https://doi.org/10.1001/virtualmentor.2009.11.6.jdsc1-0906
Medicine's Role in Mitigating the Effects of Climate Change
Jameton, A. (2009). Medicine’s role in mitigating the effects of climate change. AMA Journal of Ethics, 11(6), 465–469. https://doi.org/10.1001/virtualmentor.2009.11.6.msoc1-0906
Caring for the Health of the Community Means Caring for the Health of the Environment
Larson, N. J. (2009). Caring for the health of the community means caring for the health of the environment. AMA Journal of Ethics, 11(6), 461–464. https://doi.org/10.1001/virtualmentor.2009.11.6.pfor1-0906
Educating Patients as Medicine Goes Green, Commentary 1
King, L. P. (2009). Educating patients as Medicine Goes Green. AMA Journal of Ethics, 11(6), 427–433. https://doi.org/10.1001/virtualmentor.2009.11.6.ccas1-0906
Educating Patients as Medicine Goes Green, Commentary 2
Brown, J. (2009). Educating patients as Medicine Goes Green. AMA Journal of Ethics, 11(6), 427–433. https://doi.org/10.1001/virtualmentor.2009.11.6.ccas1-0906
Are Physicians Obliged to Lead Environmental Sustainability Efforts in Health Care Organizations?
Macpherson, C. C., & Hill, J. (2017). Are physicians obliged to lead environmental sustainability efforts in health care organizations? AMA Journal of Ethics, 19(12), 1164–1173. https://doi.org/10.1001/journalofethics.2017.19.12.ecas2-1712
Climate Change and Physiatry: A Call to Proportional and Prospective Action
Taylor, A. L., Perret, D., Morice, K., Zafonte, R., Skelton, F., Rivers, E., & Alexander, M. (2022). Climate change and Physiatry. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 101(10), 988–993. https://doi.org/10.1097/phm.0000000000002017
Improving environmental sustainability in outpatient clinics: Lessons from a waste audit
Taylor, A. L., Levin, J., Chan, J., Lee, M., Kasitinon, D., Miller, E., & Fox, P. (2021). Improving Environmental Sustainability in outpatient clinics: Lessons from a waste audit. The Journal of Climate Change and Health, 4, 100070. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joclim.2021.100070
Connections to Disability
Policy Brief: Persons with disabilities in a just transition to a low-carbon economy
International Labour Organization (ILO). (2019). (rep.). Policy brief: Persons with disabilities in a just transition to a low-carbon economy (pp. 1–12). Geneva, Switzerland.
The Link between Renewable Energy and Accessibility
Winters, S. (2022). The link between renewable energy and accessibility. eco 18: collectively green. https://eco18.com/the-link-between-renewable-energy-and-accessibility/
Inclusive Apprenticeships: Increasing Access to Clean Energy Careers for People with Disabilities
Robertson, S. M. (2021). Inclusive apprenticeships: Increasing access to clean energy careers for people with disabilities. U.S. Department of Labor Blog. https://blog.dol.gov/2021/09/21/inclusive-apprenticeships-increasing-access-to-clean-energy-careers-for-people-with-disabilities
Promoting disaster preparedness for children with special healthcare needs: A scoping review
Newman, M., & Leochico, C. F. (2022). Promoting disaster preparedness for children with special healthcare needs: A scoping review. The Journal of Climate Change and Health, 8, 100145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joclim.2022.100145