Today is Earth Day, the perfect time for us to reflect on gifts from the earth that God continues to bestow upon us.
On Earth Day, we at Bon Secours are celebrating by sharing our deep passion for caring for the environment. A few weeks ago on World Health Day, we started this conversation by revealing how our ministry is working hard to be good stewards of land and energy. And today, we would like to keep that conversation going by walking through some examples of how we use connectivity within our teams to be good stewards of resources.
Sustainability in Action Through Connectivity
Many different teams throughout our ministry are involved in our connectivity efforts. However, we rely heavily on our mission and supply chain teams to really lead these initiatives. Through partnership, we learn from one another about stewardship and sustainability. We also share best practices, align on priorities and communicate progress. This is all done intentionally and builds integral ecology into our planning and operations as well as our ministry’s culture.
The following initiatives are are few that were put into place in 2021:
- Desflurane was removed from the acute care formulary. This translated to the avoidance of approximately 1,671 metric tons of CO2 being released into the atmosphere.
- Many of our hospitals we have transitioned to reusable products. Examples include isolation gowns and pulse oximetry sensors.
- In an effort to reduce freight-related emissions as well as build up local business, we opted to use local manufacturers, when possible. At one manufacturer in particular, we’ll also be using domestic raw goods – further reducing emissions in our logistics model.
Again, these are just a few of the things we’re doing to help us best care for our patients while strengthening our relationship with the physical world. These efforts are in line with our Catholic identity that everything is connected in the eyes of God.
How do you plan to show your appreciation for God’s gift of the earth today?
Please celebrate Earth Day with us this year with your own sustainability efforts. Here are a few ways to get started:
- Consuming less meat is helpful for the environment, so enjoy a plant-based diet for the day.
- Let your green thumb show by planting a few flowers. You’ll be able to enjoy their beauty in the coming months and you’ll also be providing a habitat for bees.
- Walk around your community and collect any trash you see. Be sure to be safe by using a bag and gloves.
- Get outside, take a walk and enjoy the nature around you. This can be a great family activity or go alone and use it as reflection time. Be sure to bring a reusable water bottle filled with water to stay hydrated.
- Start growing herbs and vegetables at home. If you don’t have a lot of room, start small and try using a few little planters.
Learn more about the health care services we offer at Bon Secours.
