Reducing the Climate Impact of Critical Care

Abstract

As the health effects of climate change intensify, critical care providers have an urgent responsibility to minimize the environmental impact of health care delivery. Although the response of critical care clinicians in managing climate-exacerbated diseases such as asthma and heat stroke is well recognized, the impact of critical care delivery on climate change itself may be less familiar. This case-based review explores the drivers of the ICU climate footprint, including high energy and electricity use, supply chain contributions, pharmaceutical greenhouse gas emissions, plastic waste, and low-value care. Potential solutions then are presented for each of these elements, with an emphasis on multidisciplinary team engagement to enact lasting change. The role of the ICU clinician as environmental policy advocate also is explored. Despite the grave clinical implications of the climate crisis, critical care providers are well positioned to mitigate their own climate impacts and to help lead health care decarbonization.