Climate Change and Health Committee

Addressing the wide-ranging policy solutions to combat climate change, the RIMS Climate Change and Health Committee is committed to bringing RI physicians together to share their experiences on caring for patients affected by climate change and advocating for climate change mitigation legislation including a transition to green energy, climate change adaptation measures, and waste reduction across industries. Formed in the Spring of 2022, RIMS member physicians are acutely attuned to the impact climate change has not only on our environment but also on the impact it has on our patients’ health.

DID YOU KNOW? The healthcare industry is a lead contributor to carbon emissions. In fact, if global healthcare were a country, it would be the fifth greatest emitter.[i] The United States Department of Health and Human Services calls on all Health Systems to cut emissions by 2030 by 50 percent and be on a path to net zero by 2050.[ii]

Alison Hayward, MD, Chair

What We Do

We meet monthly and have guest speakers discuss the importance of the impact climate change has on the healthcare industry and how the healthcare industry impacts climate change.

Do you want to get involved with the Climate Change and Health Committee? Please contact Stacy Paterno at spaterno@rimed.org.