So, by now it’s pretty well accepted that human carbon emissions are causing our planet’s climate to change. And it’s also pretty much accepted that the use of energy, be it to power your moped, juice-up your latest iThingie or run a leading edge acute care, rehabilitation and research hospital, is a leading cause of carbon emissions. But since the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its report “Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability” it seems like a whole lot more attention is being given to how climate change is affecting our health.

The World Health Organization is talking about it, the US National Institute of Environmental Health Science is talking about it, the US Environmental Protection Agency is talking about it…heck, PBS down in Minnesota even has a show on it.

On top of that, groups such as the UK’s Faculty of Public Health are talking about how “health and healthcare community must use its vast influence to help avert the catastrophic effects of climate change”.

So when a big acute care, rehabilitation and research hospital like the University Health Network launches its Operation TLC energy efficiency program, covering everything from behaviour change to energy efficient equipment, I like to think that it’s just an extension of the top class health care we’re already providing…one light switch and LED at a time.