With Climate Challenges Expected, Here’s How Methodist Is Focusing on Sustainability

The Fifth National Climate Assessment is here. The congressionally mandated interagency effort reports on the scientific data required to support informed decision-making about climate change.

The report provides the latest data and projections for changes in the climate across the U.S., including specific regional impacts to Nebraska. It also highlights the importance of sustainability efforts like reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency.

Methodist Successes

Over the last five years, Methodist has made strides toward reducing emissions and continues to look for ways to increase energy efficiency. Some major highlights include:

• The recent replacement of boilers at Methodist Hospital
• The retrocommissioning, or fine-tuning, of building systems to improve operating efficiency of the 825 Building. 

These projects, which have both gone live over the last year, have increased energy efficiency.

National Climate Assessment Findings

Among the National Climate Assessment's projections for our region: 

• Drier summer conditions and severe weather will threaten the agriculture and water systems we rely on. 
• Health inequities will be exacerbated by extreme heat and high humidity, resulting in increased harm to physical and mental health. 
• Extreme precipitation events, including high-volume rain and large hail, will cause more damage to properties and infrastructure. 

Risks and damages from these severe weather events are increasing, with disasters that cost at least a billion dollars now occurring on average once every three weeks across the U.S. 

Positive Steps Across the U.S.

Despite these projected impacts, the U.S. has made significant strides in mitigating climate change – or reducing the amount and rate of future climate change by reducing emissions – over the last decade. Emissions across the U.S. have decreased despite a growing population and economy, largely due to the reduction of coal generation and the increase of renewable energy. 

Additionally, climate action in mitigation and adaptation – or adjusting to environmental changes by seeking to reduce harm and exploit beneficial opportunities – has increased in every region of the country. 

All climate mitigation efforts reduce the impact that climate change will have and can result in positive health and economic effects.

Get Involved With Sustainability at Methodist!

Interested in learning more about Methodist’s sustainability efforts? Visit the sustainability page on the MHS intranet. To get involved in efforts to foster a culture of sustainability at Methodist sign up for the Sustainable Health Implementation Plan (SHIP) Ambassador program.