On Earth Day 2022, the White House and HHS launched the Healthcare Sector Climate Pledge. This created an opportunity for health care stakeholders in the US to make bold emissions reduction commitments and build resilience in response to the growing threats presented by climate change. After the original sign-on deadline passed, MS4SF alongside some of its partners successfully advocated for the re-opening of the pledge. Institutions that sign on have access to resources to help guide their transition to a more sustainable and resilient healthcare system. And, any institutions that sign-on by Nov. 1 will receive recognition at COP28.
MS4SF and AMSA put together this HHS Pledge Toolkit to help medical student advocates bring this pledge to the attention of their affiliated hospitals/healthcare institutions. Included are template letters and presentations as well as an overview of the HHS Pledge. This is a tremendous opportunity for goal setting, progress, and recognition for healthcare institutions seeking to make their operations sustainable and resilient.
Please reach out to MS4SF Advocacy Co-Chairs nbaker@hms.harvard.edu +/- brannene@ohsu.edu with any questions you may have.
Op-Ed Workshop with Dr. Tummala
On July 10 2022, we hosted an op-ed workshop with Dr. Tummala, an ENT physician at George Washington Medical Faculty Associates and the co-director for the Climate Health Institute. She has written pieces on climate for a variety of well-known publications. If you weren’t able to attend the op-ed workshop but would still like to see it, view a recording here.
We mobilize coordinated medical student actions and advocate for policy solutions to match the scale of the climate crisis. We provide resources and support to medical students across the country, so they can better engage in advocacy at institutional, local, and national levels. This is the main advocacy page where we advertise our current efforts and initiatives. If you’re looking for other ways to get involved and relevant resources, head to the Take Action page.
Summer Policy Series 2021
Check out the recordings and one-page summaries from our 2021 Summer Policy Series which included presentations on the Green New Deal, Carbon Pricing, and Clean Energy Standards.
Take Action- Ask your congressional representatives to fund climate action
- MS4SF’s national health policy partners developed a form that makes it easy to show support for climate & health priorities in the infrastructure budget. Right now, there is a debate underway in Congress on funding for climate action. Health professionals are encouraging policymakers to fund climate solutions that improve health. Please take a few minutes to send a pre-filled form to you representatives.
- Show support for zero-emission school buses. Sign on to the American Lung Association’s letter to congress asking for Federal Investments to Electrify National School Bus Fleet.
- Sign on here
Divestment
Our divestment team is working closely with Insure Our Future and Climate Health Now to call on private health insurance companies in the United States to divest from fossil fuels!
- Read this recent op-ed by MS4SF member, Anna Brandes, about why health insurance companies should divest from fossil fuels
Building a Just MS4SF
Please join our channel on #anti-racism-building-a-just-ms4sf on Slack! This will be a space to discuss equity and anti-racism, in MS4SF and beyond, and to continually work toward a supportive MS4SF community that practices and demands justice!
Line 3 Opposition – Direct Action Opportunity
Line 3 is a violation of treaty rights with the Indigenous peoples of the region it is being constructed in and is infrastructure supporting the fossil fuel industry that is harming our patient’s health. There is ongoing direct action in northern Minnesota opposing Line 3, please attend if able or find other ways to get involved here.
Other Ways to Engage
- Please watch our Earth Day Video and share our message widely!
- Please join us in advocating to your elected officials for a rapid transition off fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy, leaving nobody behind and building a healthy and just future.
- Join us to access our advocacy training guide and storytelling guide for MS4SF members!
Medical Students for a Sustainable Future 