Climate change, Biodiversity Loss, Pollution of land, water and air, and Species Mass Extinctions are all consequences of unsustainable practices by humans. Healthcare itself does harm by excessive and often wasteful use of resources with consequential waste production. Australian healthcare is responsible for approximately 7% of Australia's total carbon emissions.
Yet how do we continue to provide modern healthcare in the face of such headwinds? How does Australian healthcare become high value AND low carbon/low waste? Is Oncology even at the beginning of this journey?
Here we discuss what other fields of medicine are undertaking to become high value, low carbon. Particular emphasis will be placed upon what evidence there is around the world as healthcare systems join the Race To Zero (Carbon), preventing, avoiding, reducing, and reusing where possible. Life Cycle Assessment (Environmental Footprinting) evidence in the fields of anaesthesia, surgery, and intensive care will be particularly discussed given their 'carbon hotspot' status and their growing body or research work. Opportunities for the oncology community to join the environmental sustainability research agenda will be explored.
Full Sails on Our Journey!