Eyeworld

24 | EYEWORLD | FALL 2024 ASCRS NEWS EYESUSTAIN UPDATE by Archeta Rajagopalan, BS About the author Archeta Rajagopalan, BS Medical Student Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California Los Angeles, California deadly summer hot spells, delayed autumns, and warmer winters. It distresses me to see such drastic change in such a short span of time. How much more will it threaten the health of my patients and myself during my decades ahead as a doctor? The medical field that will employ me in a few years is adding to these problems. Fossil fuels burned to create the energy needed for healthcare creates 8.4% of America's toxic air pollution and greenhouse gases. 2 These carbon emissions from healthcare-related waste are blamed for ~405,000 years of life lost annual- ly from asthma attacks, chronic lung disease, heart attacks, and cancer. 2 The climate change caused by the greenhouse gases will mean that thousands more will suffer each year from heat-related illness or death, mental illnesses, and other injuries brought by extreme weather and wildfires. 3 Environmental sustainability in the work- place is a priority for people globally. IBM reported in 2021 that two in every three survey respondents declared that environmental issues are "very or extremely important to them per- sonally," and "69% of the full potential work- force say they're more likely to accept a job with an organization they consider to be environ- mentally sustainable." 4 Deloitte reported that 97% of upper-level managers say that they feel the impacts of climate change on their compa- nies. 5 Further, 88% think that climate change should be addressed by their companies. 5 The use of energy, chemicals, and sup- plies by outpatient clinics, medical practices, and dental offices is responsible for about a quarter of healthcare's greenhouse gases. 2 For these reasons, I will do my part by choosing an "I'll be joining an environmentally friendly practice" Surveys of ophthalmologists around the world have shown a unanimous opinion that waste in our profession needs to be reduced. 1 Finding the tools and resources to initiate the changes re- quired for such a reduction in our everyday prac- tices can be challenging. Evidence-based initiatives like EyeSustain (www.eyesustain.org) and My Green Doctor (www.mygreendoctor.org) can help guide ophthalmologists as well as practice leaders toward improving their sustainable methods, such as amending their surgical protocols and instru- ment choices, sanitizing methods, and medication utilization to address their contribution of waste. In this issue's EyeSustain Update column, Archeta Rajagopalan, BS, a medical student at the Univer- sity of Southern California, discusses the environ- mental impact of healthcare practices and the ac- celerating effects of climate change. She highlights a global prioritization of environmental sustain- ability in workplaces, especially medical practices, emphasizing its importance in attracting new doctors and other healthcare providers. She plans to pursue a career in an environmentally friend- ly medical practice that values sustainability in terms of reduced waste, cost savings, staff satisfac- tion, and improved community health. Her goal, as with many, is to join a practice committed to sustainability, reflecting a broader trend toward greener healthcare environments. —Amy Mehta, MD, Guest Editor, EyeSustain Update Environmental sustainability helps attract the best young talent to your practice A s a medical student, I see profound environmental wastefulness in the clinics where I've trained. I also see the impacts of climate change where I live. The seasons were distinct when I grew up; now, we experience

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